As the sun begins to set and the city comes alive, “Six to Eleven” transforms the opening weekend of George Town Festival into an evening of music, light, movement, and shared celebration. From 6pm until 11pm, Padang Kota Lama becomes a vibrant playground where local and international artists, communities, and audiences come together in a joyful encounter that blurs the boundaries between performance and everyday life.
Journey through glowing projection-mapped heritage buildings, wander into immersive light installations, discover lively arts markets and participatory workshops, and be captivated by performances that span cultures and traditions—from the haunting sounds of Borneo’s indigenous music and contemporary ethnic fusion to shadow puppetry, interactive street theatre, and spectacular roaming performances. Along the way, spontaneous moments of wonder await around every corner, inviting visitors of all ages to pause, explore, and connect.
More than an opening event, “Six to Eleven” is an invitation to experience George Town after dark through curiosity, creativity, and community. Whether you’re dancing to live music, marvelling at illuminated heritage landmarks, creating alongside artists, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, every hour offers a new encounter—turning the city itself into a stage where stories, cultures, and people meet.
nalan! by alena murang
Award-winning Sarawakian artist Alena Murang brings the rich cultural heritage of Borneo to the stage through a captivating blend of music, storytelling, and tradition. Renowned for her mastery of the sape, evocative vocals in the endangered Kenyah and Kelabit languages, and graceful hornbill dance, Alena reimagines Dayak traditions for contemporary audiences while celebrating their enduring relevance.
A singer-songwriter, educator, and multidisciplinary artist, Alena is dedicated to preserving and sharing the living heritage of Sarawak, inspiring audiences to reconnect with their own cultural roots. In this special performance, she presents music from her latest album, Sky Songs, joined by keyboardist Simmy Lor for an evening that bridges ancestral traditions with modern musical expression.
suara rimba dan arus by at adau
Hailing from Sarawak on the island of Borneo, At Adau is an independent ethnic fusion band that seamlessly blends indigenous musical traditions with contemporary sounds. Since its formation in 2014, the group has crafted a distinctive musical identity by combining traditional instruments such as the sape, bedok, and kidibad with modern instrumentation, creating a sound that is both rooted in heritage and refreshingly current.
Guided by their motto, “Music That Heals,” At Adau celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Borneo while sharing messages of positivity, unity, and connection. Their uplifting performances invite audiences to experience the timeless spirit of Sarawak’s indigenous traditions through a vibrant and contemporary musical journey.
dundu sharing the light
Get ready to enter a luminous world where light, music, and human connection come together in a truly magical encounter. Performed by five artists and accompanied by the enchanting sounds of the kora, the traditional West African harp, this internationally acclaimed interactive light puppet gently weaves its way through the crowd, sharing moments of wonder with audiences of all ages.
Graceful, glowing, and seemingly from another world, the radiant figure pauses to meet each visitor with warmth and kindness, creating intimate exchanges that spark joy, curiosity, and delight. Blending visual spectacle with live music and poetic storytelling, this heart-opening experience transforms public space into a celebration of light, imagination, and shared humanity.
Thai Masked Dance by Patong Wittaya Foundation School
Step into the enchanting world of Khon, Thailand’s revered classical masked dance drama based on the Ramakien, the Thai national epic adapted from the Ramayana. Presented by Patong Wittaya Foundation School, this performance brings together graceful movement, expressive masked characters, traditional narration, live Piphat music, and elaborate costumes to reveal the beauty and grandeur of one of Thailand’s most treasured performing arts traditions.
The performance features three selected episodes from the Ramakien. It begins with “Ram Berk Rong (Ceremonial Prelude)”, a ceremonial dance that honours the masters of Thai performing arts and marks the beginning of the performance with blessings and respect.
The story continues with “Rama Pursues the Golden Deer (Phra Ram Tam Kwang)”, where the magical Golden Deer draws Phra Ram away from his forest dwelling, allowing the Demon King Thotsakan to abduct Nang Sida and set the stage for the epic battle that follows.
The performance reaches its climax with “The Great Battle (Yok Rob)”, a spectacular confrontation between the forces of Phra Ram and Thotsakan. Through powerful choreography, dynamic battle formations, and the rhythmic energy of live music, the performance celebrates courage, loyalty, and the triumph of righteousness while showcasing the timeless artistry of Thai classical theatre.
Jom Layan Selects: A Showcase of Track Digging & Sonic Diversity
Discover the art of the selector at “Jom Layan Selects”, a curated showcase celebrating the diverse disciplines of DJ culture. Spanning two days, this event brings together four distinct acts that push sonic boundaries across a spectrum of genres. Experience the deep, atmospheric rhythms of liquid drum and bass with EndZeit, the driving, high-energy dancefloor flavours of jersey club, UK garage (UKG), and disco from Synthication, the nostalgic, genre-blurring indie dance grooves of Thee Lone Gunmen, and the dynamic live-electronic hybrid fusion of Lightlow & Jenna on saxophone and violin. From underground club music to live instrumental mashups, “Jom Layan Selects” offers a powerful, multi-sensory journey through modern rhythm and creative expression.
Jom Layan Vinyl Experience: A Tactile Journey Through Analog Soundscapes
Step past the boundaries of digital play and immerse yourself in the warm, rich world of analogue sound at the George Town Festival. The “Jom Layan Vinyl Experience” is a curated, 60-minute interactive showcase celebrating the timeless culture of record collecting and physical mixing.
The session is hosted by Slick Z and Lightlow, the label boss and programme director of Penang’s own soundscape collective, Jom Layan. A veteran crate-digger and passionate archivist of physical media, Slick Z will open up his personal vault, sharing an exceptional collection that spans the smooth depths of deep house, the soulful rhythms of R&B, nostalgic 2000s classics, and foundational hip hop.
More than just a performance, this session invites the community to step behind the decks. The showcase is fully open to the public, offering a rare, hands-on opportunity for music enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike to touch the vinyl, drop the needle, and experience the tactile magic of playing vinyl firsthand. Whether you’re a longtime collector or exploring vinyl for the first time, this is an invitation to slow down, connect with the music, and experience the enduring appeal of analogue sound.
hans im glÜCK
Hans in Luck — A Shadow Puppet Show
Solo performance by Cornelia | approx. 15 minutes | All ages
Hans has worked for his master for seven long years. But now he wants to go back home, back to his mother. For his wages he receives a large lump of gold. He feels like the luckiest person in the world.
By the time Hans reaches his mother’s house, the gold is long gone. So is the horse, the cow, the pig, and the goose. Hans has traded every single thing away—each time convinced he has made a brilliant deal, each time walking off lighter and happier than before. His final possession, a heavy grindstone, goes the way of everything else: straight to the bottom of a well. Hans has nothing left. Hans is happy.
“Hans in Luck” is a solo shadow puppet show based on a traditional German fairy tale, performed live behind a lit screen. Puppeteer Cornelia brings Hans’s cheerfully disastrous journey to life through silhouette figures, music, and audience participation.
Funny, warm, and subtly philosophical, the show works beautifully on two levels: children will delight in shouting at Hans to make better decisions (he won’t listen), while adults may find themselves quietly wondering whether Hans is foolish—or secretly the wisest person in the room.
A classic tale about happiness, luck, and letting go.
Is Hans lucky? Come and decide for yourself.
Animal parade
Step into a playful world where movement, imagination, and creativity take centre stage! This immersive workshop invites participants to reconnect with their bodies through crawling, rolling, creeping, and other instinctive forms of movement that awaken curiosity, freedom, and self-expression beyond words.
Guided through a hands-on mask-making session, participants will transform their creations into extensions of their movement, drawing inspiration from primal instincts, animals, and the imagination. The journey culminates in a vibrant parade, where individual discoveries come together in a joyful collective celebration. Filled with unusual movements, colourful masks, and shared energy, the procession transforms the festival into a living expression of creativity, connection, and community.
The Animal Parade workshop is organised by Funk-You.Art.
PAINT THE TOWN _______!
Arts market by LunaSinar
Bringing together creativity, community, and local makers, “PAINT THE TOWN _______!” is an arts market by Penang-based event organiser LunaSinar. Founded in 2024 by husband-and-wife duo Hafiz and Wina, LunaSinar creates spaces that celebrate independent artists, creative entrepreneurs, and the vibrant exchange of ideas.
From handmade crafts and artworks to unique creations by local talents, the market invites visitors to discover, connect, and support Penang’s growing creative community. Step into a lively gathering where art spills beyond the canvas and creativity takes centre stage.
Heritage in Motion: TERANG
Pasar (the Malay word for market) is more than a marketplace—it is a space of exchange where cultures, stories, knowledge, and communities converge. Across Malaysia and Southeast Asia, the pasar has long been a place where traditions evolve through everyday interactions, reflecting the region’s rich diversity and vibrancy.
Inspired by this spirit of exchange, “Heritage in Motion: TERANG” invites artists participating in the TERANG Projection Mapping Competition 2026 to reinterpret the pasar through the medium of projection mapping. Heritage architecture becomes a living canvas for storytelling, where light and motion transform familiar façades into immersive, site-responsive narratives. Rather than treating buildings as mere surfaces, artists are encouraged to engage with each structure’s form, history, and character, revealing new perspectives on the places we thought we knew.
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