March is here!

What is CAKE PROJECT?

CAKE PROJECT is a micro crowd-funding project by Toccata Studio which aims to build a strong and diverse network of local art practitioners and audiences. It started as a nostalgic idea of wanting to recreate the atmosphere of Sunday afternoon chit-chat with tea and cakes among friends and family where one could bounce ideas about each other. The current version of CAKE PROJECT is a better structured one where ideas can be turned into projects with the money from the audience and arts community. 

Who goes to CAKE PROJECT? 
People who want to share and realise their creative ideas and people who want to see new things come to live and help artists realise their projects! 
• Dreamers (presenter): eager people who have creative ideas and want to realise them! (We welcome all art practitioners, professional and amateur alike!)
• Audience (voters): people who want to see and hear new, creative things and support them.

How does CAKE PROJECT work?
CAKE PROJECT happens bi-monthly on odd months (i.e January, March, May etc). There is a PRIZE POT in a corner of Toccata Studio where people can contribute any amount CAKE PROJECT. Admission to CAKE PROJECT is at a minimum of RM15 per person, which adds on to the accumulated amount in the PRIZE POT, which will go to the winner at the end of the day. In return, audience and presenter will both enjoy tea and a slice of homemade cake sponsored by kind aunties in the neighbourhood.
• Each presenter is allocated 15 minutes of the floor: 10 minutes for presenting their idea + 5 for a quick Q&A session.
• At the end of the presentation period, each person is entitled to one (1) vote of their choice.
• Votes will then be collected and counted by Toccata Studio while everyone enjoys a slice of homemade cake with coffee or tea.
• Occasionally there may be performances or talks by special guests; sometimes past winners of CAKE PROJECT will return to share the progress of realising their project.
• The project with the most votes wins, and is the recipient of all the money in the PRIZE POT. 

If you would like to come to CAKE PROJECT as a Dreamer, do not hesitate to contact us. Submit a simple write up (no more than 200 words) about your idea/project to etoccata@gmail.com.

If you would like more information before making a decision, do not hesitate to contact us:

phone: 016－3618504 / email: etoccata@gmail.com.

please browse our YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC-KwEQ28-k

Fans and friends of FUGU, take note! 

FUGU has returned and will be playing at Good Friends Cafe 10th March. 

Date/Time: 10/3/2015 (Tuesday), 8.30pm 

Venue: Good Friends Cafe, 15 & 17, Jalan SS 15/8a, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

Admission by minimum donation of RM30 

Early birds pay RM25 with special gift! (before 5/3/2015)

Call/text 016-3618504 or email etoccata@gmail.com to get your seats now!


Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.

Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzp1oSHStEo

New year, new performances!

Date/Time: 11/1/14 (Sunday) 3pm 

Venue: Toccata Studio 

Admission by min. donation: RM40 

Drawing inspiration from the many facets of modern life, influenced by Malaysian and other Asian cultures, the music of WVC TRiO +1 cuts across many musical genres and defies any kind of classification. Tunes such as “The Art of the Wind Up Alarm Clock”, “Found and Lost”, “Standing in the Rain on Euclid Avenue” tries to examine and express the human condition in modern life, using the art form known as "jazz" as its stylistic musical vehicle. 

Formed in 2006 as a trio, WVC TRiO +1 completed its quartet line up with the addition of saxophonist Julian Chan. The group has toured extensively in the region, heralding back the spirit being "on the road" of touring jazz bands of old. Through these regional tours, WVC TRiO +1 has brought its music to many corners of Malaysia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Macao. In one of these tours, the quartet managed to travel extensively over 18 cities within a month, using different means of transportation, playing in many different types of venues.

WVC TRiO +1 has three instrumental albums - “WVC TRiO” (2008), “ELEVEN” (2009), “In the Dark, I See Her” (2011) - that explored different musical genres (while maintaining the spirit of jazz as its core) and combinations in its line-up. Most of the tunes recorded are original tunes written by the band members. In addition, the band also experiments with transforming unlikely pop tunes, Chinese classics, and many mainstream music into new jazz re-arrangements, in the spirit of the great jazz musicians of old.

WVC TRiO +1 has been invited to appear in many festivals in the region such as Taichung Jazz Festival, Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival, Phuket International Jazz Festival, Tianjin International Jazz Fest, Macao International Jazz Week and many others. In addition, the band has played extensively in the Malaysian local jazz clubs, from No Black Tie, Nero Fico, (the now defunct) Venue, and many others.

The present incarnation of the WVC Trio + 1 consists of bandleader/composer/arranger/music director/pianist Tay Cher Siang, bassist AJ, drummer KJ Wong and saxophonist Julian Chan. The band remains one of the most active units in the Malaysian performance circuit and is one of the most sought after bands in Malaysia for Hi-Fi recordings and live performances.

Gerry Hemingway - Drum Set, Composer

Sarah Weaver - Composer 

Gerry Hemingway’s solo concert program will premiere two new solo works composed by Sarah Weaver along with a selection of acoustic works that are from the vast solo repertoire Mr. Hemingway has developed over the past 40 years.

Date and Time: 20 January 2015, 8.30pm

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B ,SS2/55, 47300 PJ

Admission: minimum donation RM30

Contact: 016-3618504

This performance is co-organized with KLEX KL Experimental Film and Video Festival 

吉隆坡实验电影节 

Partially supported by Pro Helvetia, Liminal Music Inc.

photo credit: Erika Kapin Photography

POLKA • PLAYGROUND is returning to Toccata Studio this 23rd January! 

NG CHOR GUAN (theremin and laptop)
JIMMY CHONG aka JIMMY ZHAI (percussion)
GIDEON ALUBAKHAN CHEN (zither)

Date/Time: 23/1/2015 (Friday), 8.30pm
Venue: Toccata Studio
Admission by min donation: RM30

Call/text 016-3618504 to reserve your seats now!

November!

The holidays are near! And we've returned from London and ready to put on new performances. Check out the shows below! 

Polka Dot Playground returns to Toccata Studio this 5th November!
 Join us for an evening of interactive and invigorating music! 

Featuring musicians:
Alubakhan Gideon Chen (guqin)

Jimmy Zhai (percussion)

Ng Chor Guan (theremin & laptop)

Venue: Toccata Studio, SS2

Date/Time: 5 November 2014, 8.30pm

Admission by minimum donation of RM25

Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.
Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFoa804fPA

The 10th installment of Dance=Music Series is here! Beyond Future features two dancers whose passion is with hip hop and newer dance forms.
 Catch Jau Huei and Syaffiq Hambali this 8th & 9th November!

Venue: Toccata Studio, SS2
Date/Time: 8th November, 8.30pm / 9th November, 3pm
Admission by minimum donation of RM25


Don't miss these wonderful showcases of Malaysian contemporary art!
Call/text 016-3618504 to reserve your seats now! 

A very busy first week of September!

Hello, friends!

We kicked off the first weekend of September with the opening of the Autumn: Art Exhibition / September 2014: there was food and friends and wise words from well-meaning people all around! We'd like to thank those of you who came and shared the wonderful afternoon with us, hope to see you again soon!

On Sunday we had Cake Project #14, where pitchers Suhaili Micheline, Teo Wey Herng and Ng Chor Guan each tries to woo the audience with earnest presentations of their projects. Suhaili Micheline's 'Marrying Me' is a musical about self discovery, the ups and downs of a mother daughter relationship, and ultimately, self love. Though Suhaili did not win, she is bringing the performance to New York City! Best of luck, Suhaili!

Second pitcher Teo Wey Herng represents Toccata Studio in presenting an event named 'Square Fete'; it is a festival that will be put on by Toccata Studio in January featuring a series of events and performances including a contemporary art exhibition. Teo Wey Herng quoted Malaysian writer and painter Duola in her presentation: 'we want to bring arts back into SS2'.

Winner Ng Chor Guan pitched his ongoing project RE: Revolution Evolution, a live performance inspired by cycling and recording the present world with modern day tools: Ng Chor Guan and collaborator cycles about the area they feature and collect sound and visual material, which will be transformed into coherent music and visuals, forming a poignant performance. Donate a few ringgit to their Gofundme page: http://www.gofundme.com/d9n82c They are planning to bring this around the world!

Also check out the video for RE! 

On Tuesday evening we had Suhaili Micheline in Toccata Studio for our 9th installment of Dance=Music Series! She and composer Ng Chor Guan recreated the performance space and turned it into a room where 'a parcel is unraveled'; the performance room is scattered with crumpled newspapers and the space under the piano turns into 'a cave', says a member of the audience. 

This Friday we've got Yi-feng: a solo recital by Seth Woods, an artist who is reputed to be 'straddling several genres' and performs a diverse range of music including the works of Bach and avant-garde compositions. Outside the chamber and solo setting, Seth has played with the New York City Ballet, Orchestra of St. Lukes, Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Di Capo Opera Theater and Vertical Player Repertory Opera. Seth Woods will also perform an improvisation session in the second half of the concert with Malaysian composer, Ng Chor Guan, who will be manipulating the theremin. 

Hope to see you this Friday!
Thank you for reading. (:

New Music Series #8: Oh, Strings!

New Music Series #8 -Oh, Strings!

Violin: Ken Lee 

Zhong Ruan: Simon Chong 

Er Hu and Guitar: Ziyan Tung

Curator : Ng Chor Guan

Date: 20 August 2014

Time: 830pm 

Venue: Toccata Studio 19B,SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. 

Admission: by minimum donation RM25

Contact: 016-3618504 

Email: etoccata@gmail.com 

new music series #7 "THE MISSING_______"

new music series #7

"THE MISSING__________"

new music series #7 

"THE MISSING ________________"
electronics: Isaac Chia & Ng Chor Guan



New Music Series present to you "THE MISSING ___________" electronics conversation between France based Malaysian musician Isaac Chia and renown Malaysian composer, Ng Chor Guan .

Join us at this unconventional event to experience new sounds and new inspirations !


Date : 19 April 2014
Time: 830pm
Venue: Toccata Studio 19B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Admission: by minimum donation RM25

contact: 016-3618504
email: etoccata@gmail.com
blog: www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com

presented by Toccata Studio

STOP . LOOK . GO 

红绿灯

Violin: Fung Chern Hwei (New York)
Piano: Lee Shih-Yang （Taiwan)
Theremin: Ng Chor Guan (Malaysia)

Date: 18/3/2014
Time: 8:30pm
Venue：Toccata Studio 19B, ss2/55,47300 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact：016－3618504
Blog：http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/

Admission: minimum donation of RM30


Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.
Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL4MSILW7-g

Dance=Music Series #6: Dancing in the Wonderland

Dance=Music Series #6: Dancing in the Wonderland

Dancer: Chai Vivan 
Musician: Ng Chor Guan 

Date & Time: 22/3/2014, 8:30pm
                    23/3/2014, 3:00pm
Venue：Toccata Studio 19B, ss2/55,47300 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact：016－3618504
Blog：http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/

Admission: by minimum donation RM25

Moving Bach

 

Contemporary dance and baroque Bach music.

Artistic Director: Ng Chor Guan 

Dancer/ Choreographer: Steve Goh, Aida Redza

Musician: Tan Su Yin, Dylan Lee & Ng Chor Guan 

Idea initiated and produced by: Tan E-Jan 

Date & Time: March 15 @ 8:30pm (Saturday), March 16 @ 3:00pm (Sunday)

Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B, SS2/55, 47300 

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Admission: By minimum donation RM 30

Contact: 016-3618504

Blog: http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/

FB: Toccata Studio

舞动巴哈-巴洛克音乐和现代舞蹈的对话

当巴洛克音乐遇见现代舞蹈的刹那， 你脑海浮现了怎样的画面呢？

参与表演的艺术家包括青年舞蹈编舞家吴振辉及资深舞蹈编舞家 Aida Redza；音乐家陈素音，李名堂及黄楚原。巴洛克音乐的传统与规律，现代舞蹈的奔放与激情，当两者相互对谈、相互碰撞、以致相互融合，过程将是如何与众不同？期待“舞动巴哈”迸发出全新非凡的火花。

日期、时间：3 月 15 日（星期六）， 晚上 八点三十分

               3 月 16 日（星期日），中午 三点正

地点：Toccata Studio, 19 B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

入场：最低乐捐 30 零吉

联络：016－3618504

网页：www.toccatastudio.blogspot.com

面子书：Toccata Studio

Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.

Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tafTiO5oHzQ

NEW MUSIC SERIES - FUGU RETURNS

 Violin 小提琴 : Fung Chern Hwei 冯承晖

Theremin 特雷鸣: Ng Chor Guan 黄楚原

Date 日期： 22／2／2014

Time 时间： 830pm
Venue 地点：Toccata Studio 19B, ss2/55,47300 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia.
Contact 联络：016－3618504
Blog 网站：http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/

Admission 入场：minimum donation RM25 最低乐捐RM25

“FUGU”, a conversation between electronic and acoustic instruments, a cross over relationship of conventional classical and contemporary musical language. We look forward to the effect of interaction between various instruments and sounds. Could it provoke anxiety? Could it motivate enthusiasm? Could it stimulate encouragement? May it be impulsive or intentionally, may it be cultivated or spontaneous, join us for this unprecedented yet exciting collaborative performance of its kind.

“复古”，这将是一场什么样的感触？这会是一部什么样的故事？这又是一段什么样的经历？这可是一首什么样的乐曲？欢迎各界人士踊跃参与，出席这项结合现代与古典的演出。

Dance=Music series 5 "REFLECTION"

DEAR ALL: 
please note, 18/1/2014 830pm show is SOLD OUT. however, you can still catch the show on 19/1/2014, 3pm. see you ! 

“Reflection” has a subtle charm. It brings us to observe the world from the other angle. It brings us to imagine the space and sphere that we are living. How dance and music implicated each other. Perhaps, they are each other’s reflection. Let’s explore the dance and music through their “reflection”! Date & Time: 18 Jan 2014 (Saturday), 830pm Venue: Toccata Studio, 19B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Admission: minimum donation RM20 Contact: 016-3618504, 014-2486248 Blog: http://toccatastudio.blogspot.com/ FB: Toccata Studio Dance=Music Series 5 is going to present “Reflection” with local young talented dance artist Lee Ren Xin together with local famous music composer Ng Chor Guan. A collaborative performance between contemporary dance and improvisation music will bring the audiences an unprecedented performance For more information about “Reflection” performance, please call 016-3618504. Please browse our youtube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it. Here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1wdxNCSKU8

Ren Xin tributes her love for dance to Michelle Lo.
While performing and choreographing for The Human Expression Second Company in Singapore, Ren Xin studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She went on to complete her BFA at the Purchase Conservatory of Dance, and then danced with LeeSaar The Company in New York in 2011/2012. Ren Xin has presented her own works in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the USA, and has performed in works by Wong Jyh Shyong, Choi Myung Hyun, Kuik Swee Boon, and Shen Wei, amongst others. Back home, she recently performed in the Asia Pacific Impro! and d'MOTION Festival. While conditions are tough, Ren Xin finds it makes more sense to make work in the context and community of home. Ren Xin credits her experience of improvisation and instant performance to Keith Henessy, Miguel Gutierrez, and Kathleen Hermesdorf. For her, improvisation is a state, just as performance is a state, just as living is a state, just as Selangor is a state. Just, had to do that.

NG Chor Guan, www.ngchorguan.com

Ng Chor Guan is one of Malaysia’s most sought-after music composers and sound designers.

In 2011, British visual arts pioneers The Light Surgeons develop “Super Everything” for which he is composer, musical director and theremin player, was performed again at the Houston Cinema Art Festival in Houston, USA, in November 2012, and toured the United Kingdom in March 2013. 

His music have been presented all over the world including the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in Germany, Asian Contemporary Theatre Project in Japan, NyobaKan Butoh Festival, Silk Road Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong International Arts Carnival, Surabaya Performing Art Festival, The Studio Singapore, Sydney Fashion Week, Hong Kong Cultural Ambassador Program, George Town Festival and more. His works have also been performed in France, Holland, Italy, Canada and Korea.

Chor Guan introduced groundbreaking concepts that have revolutionised the way audiences interact with the music or even participate in the performance. One of his most successful concepts is Mobile Phone Orchestra (MPO). In Malaysia, MPO was performed in George Town Festival, Melaka Art and Performance Festival and Toccata Studio Earth Hour. In 2012, he was invited to perform MPO at The Playable City Sprint at Bristol, UK organised by the British Council and Pervasive Media Centre. He was one of five Asians selected to represent the continent. He was then invited to Korea to perform MPO at the opening ceremony of the 7th Global RCE Conference organised by UNICEF. 

Chor Guan co-founded Toccata Studio, a hub for arts. Here, he launched New Music Series and Dance=Music series. The aim of these series is to cultivate a new cultural language for Malaysia that unites various media, musical disciplines and traditions.

Chor Guan’s film music was awarded Grand Prize in both the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival (France) and Art Film Fest (Slovakia). In 2011, he was awarded a scholarship by Goethe Institue.

Chor Guan also lectures at University Malaya and New Era College. He has also produced 11 albums.  

New Music Series - BOXING BEATS - when percussionists meet...

New music series

BOXING BEATS
when percussionists meet...
...

Percussionists in action:
Tan Su Yin, Jimmy Zhai, Chia Cheng Kok

Date : 26/12/2013, Thursday
Time : 830pm
Venue : TOCCATA STUDIO
19 B, SS2/55, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Admission: by minimum donation RM20


Are you looking for new music?
Do you fancy some special sound?
Are you in search of uniqueness in music?

This is the chance for you.
Join this event for a brand new experience in music improvisation.

“Boxing Beats” a new music concert will be held on 26 December 2013, 830pm at Toccata Studio, 19 B, SS2/55, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. This is a project made possible with partial support by the Krishen Jit Astro fund. Percussionists will be performing in this concert include Tan Su Yin, will bring to audiences new sound, new inspiration, new music and new ideas! At a minimum donation of RM20 admission, you get to enjoy a night of uniqueness, filled with unexpected magic.

Toccata Studio, which promotes arts and culture primarily, is not only a platform for musicians and artists but it is also a place for various forms of music, arts and cultural events and performances alike. We organized performances from time to time, including classical recitals, arts exhibition, dance=music series, travel talks, film screening and more. We welcome everyone to join us to support our promotion for music and arts, hoping to establish an arts community.

To make reservations, please contact 016-3618504 or email to etoccata@gmail.com.

For more information, please log on to:-
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ToccataStudio

Please browse our YouTube website to watch the teaser if you've missed it.

Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f26pN-MFGVg