Front Row

Rachel Jena, an independent art critic and writer, highlights some of the noteworthy exhibitions from the year that has passed and discusses news that rocked the visual arts scene, including gallery owner Valentine Willie's resignation and the closure of their Bangsar space. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bilqis Hijjas, the President of MyDance Alliance, gives her top picks of dance performances from 2012, while highlighting some of the bigger events that shaped the dance scene for the year, here in the Klang Valley.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Master drummer and percussionist Lewis Pragasam, the force behind the music group Asiabeat, has put together the Asiabeat Anthology – a set of six CDs with a mega booklet packed with precious memoirs and articles.

He joins us to discuss the album and the over-30 year career of Asiabeat, a group which explores and experiments with the synthesis of ethnic Asian and contemporary music.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian (and medical officer) Dr. Jason Leong's monthly open mic comedy show, Comedy Kao Kao, turns one and he discusses his year long journey of hosting newbies on stage, while sharing his plans for moving forward with the comedy series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drama dance "Viswa Vinayaka" by the Temple of Fine Arts pays tribute to Lord Ganesha as they combine traditional and contemporary dance movements in a visually dramatic and energetic work. Dance Choreographers Sukhi Shetty Krishnan and Sarasa Krishnan elaborate more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spoken Word Poet and Hip-Hop MC Amir Sulaiman speaks of change, growth and life to bring purity into our lives.

His movement of inspiration is based on beliefs that the power of love can disempower the stranglehold of narcissism in our society. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six2Eight and The Actors Studio are set to sing their way through some traditional and modern Yuletide favourites, and will also put on a heartwarming musical about whether there really is a Santa Claus.

We find out what's in store in this performance designed for all ages from ensemble members Chang Voon Wee and Su Yee Lee, and also from founder Brian McIntyre.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explaining more on what islam teaches us about our planet, Author of Green Islam, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin shares advocates of his book, and discuss the synergy of faith and environment. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the more notable Nigerian choreographers working today, we find out more about Qudus Onikeku's urban dance project in various African cities, which gave rise to the documentary film, "Do we need coca-cola to dance?"

Qudus, who is from the organisation YK Projects from France, is in town for several projects including a performance at The 5th Nyoba Kan International Butoh Festival 2012, which he joins us to discuss, along with dancer and choreographer Lee Swee Keong of Nyoba Kan and Marine Moncaut, the Cultural Coordinator of the Alliance Francaise de Kuala Lumpur (AFKL).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photographer Rob Whitworth's time lapse video "Kuala Lumpur Day-Night" recently went viral, and we catch up with the young Singapore-based photographer about his specialization in architectural and time lapse photography, which highlights how spaces dramatically alter during the course of a few hours.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.