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Yosakoi(meaning is come at night)夜来祭 parade 2013 started, every

year march ,South east asia biggest street dance parade ,to
promote japanese culture to penangites , penang hibiscus club
started in 2005 got a lot of activities for community, include 新舞
踊,https://www.facebook.com/pg/EurasianFiesta/about/?
ref=page_internal

Eurasian fiesta is a celebration of the unique history and culture of the Eurasians – the descendants
of marriages between locals and the Portuguese, English and Dutch who colonized Malaysia at
different points in history (and geography), as well as the Spanish, French, Germans and other
Europeans who sailed with the trade winds of the times. The result was a community
bursting with vibrancy, with a rich culinary and musical culture.

Even as the Eurasian Fiesta celebrates this fascinating history, it will help to chart the community’s
course in current waters, cementing a bond of fraternity and unity. This year, the event will be held
at the Moral Uplifting Society building in Jalan Macalister, Pulau Tikus, starting at 6pm and going on
till 11pm. Admission is free, and the fiesta is open to the public – over 3,000 visitors are expected.

Veteran entertainer James Rozells initiated the Eurasian Fiesta in 2012, along with fellow musical
alumnus and partner Kathleen Rodrigues. According to James, Pulau Tikus is the natural choice for
the event venue; also known as ‘Kampung Serani’, it was the birthplace of the Penang Eurasian
community.

TRADITION TASTES SO GOOD

Eurasian food is a marriage of European sensibilities and local flavors, and the Eurasian
strongholds of Penang and Malacca differ slightly in their cuisines.

The spice trade was what brought the initial Portuguese sailors to Malacca’s port in 1511, and you
will find that many of the community’s dishes are heavily-spiced; a similar sense informs Penang
Eurasian delicacies, but the English influence is stronger on the island, so you’ll find colonial
favorites like corned beef stew, a descendant of the traditional English
stew, or mulligatawny (known colloquially as ‘pepper water’) on offer.

The fiesta will see Eurasians coming from far and wide to renew old ties and weave new ones –
and a delicious time is promised to all.

Families will dig deep into their recipe treasure chests to come up with culinary gems for the
evening, with staples like “debal” devil curry, semur and salt fish pickle on sale. Every family has
their own interpretation and secret touch for their dishes, so expect a glowing tapestry of flavors.

As any Eurasian will tell you, no celebration is complete without its rich and fragrant cakes and
pastries. Making its debut last year, the “Blue Ribbon Sugee Cake Contest” uncovered the best
Eurasian Sugee Cake in the land with the winner being Ms. kathleen Rodrigues from Penang.
Among the distinguished panel of judges were Mr. Joe Sidek (director of the Georgetown Festival),
Ms. Helen Ong (food author and critic), Mr. Tommy Lee (boulanger and owner of Tommy Le
Baker), Ms. Marina Emmanuel (NST Penang bureau chief 2013), Ms. Narelle McMurtrie (owner of
China House / Bon Ton), hotel General Managers, executive chefs and restaurant owners.

This year’s “Blue Ribbon Contest” seeks to crown the Eurasian Pineapple Jam Tarts queen (or
king).

PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC

An eclectic musical line-up at the fiesta will include three generations of top Malaysian Eurasian
performers, and will take the evening well beyond expected heights; from country to
good old-fashioned rock and roll, bluesy numbers to hard-edged rock, the fiesta will have it all.
Classic golden oldies will rub shoulders with the contemporary, covers and originals will
schmooze – and all will get along just fine !!

Eurasian entertainers have played an important and influential role in the country’s musical
evolution, particularly from the 1950s. From Penang, the likes of Jimmy Boyle and Larry Rodrigues,
Joe Rozells, Rudy and George Baum, Kathleen Rodrigues, The Rozells, the Scullys and the
Jeremiahs have all made their mark on the Malaysian soundscape.

They’ve blazed the trails, and a new generation of Eurasian artistes now looks to the future as they
create a sound of their own – like the edgy, youthful Volatile who perform their own original
numbers (available on iTunes now!).

Stalwarts of the music scene like the smooth EZ Band from KL featuring the likes of Eddie
Zachariah, Ronnie Felix and Jerry Ventura and the eponymous ROZELLS will be joined onstage
by strong performances from bands and musicians from as far as Singapore like John Silva, the
Reminescenes from Johore Bahru, Don Beins, Finian Lowe, Tres Cambrados from Melaka and
Brian Duorado from Ipoh. Penang Eurasian bands Volatile, Somebody Who featuring Christopher
Estrop and Jonathan Scully, Endangered Species and Penang’s Darrin Rozells make up the host’s
music list.

Also on the musical menu, Michele and Corrine Baum, Bonnie Jeremiah, William Scully, George
Baum and Leander Jeremiah among others and a 20-piece Eurasian Acapella singing group.

Eurasian dances, cultural and modern, representing the Portuguese, Dutch, English, European and
Asian Eurasian communities will definitely be a colourful and delightful addition to the fiesta.

FOR CULTURE VULTURES


The Eurasian Fiesta promises fun, good food, great music – and more.

A photo exhibition depicting Kampong Serani’s historical significance and another showcasing the
Eurasian music heritage of Penang will be on hand to commemorate the birth of the Penang
Eurasian community.

There will also be books on Eurasian history, Eurasian music CDs, and unique arts & crafts for sale.

The Eurasian Fiesta will be an evening of eating, drinking and making merry … of celebrating old
memories and creating new ones.

The Eurasian Fiesta 2014

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