KL ALTERNATIVE BOOKFEST (KLAB) 2015 + ART FOR GRABS

Art For Grabs and KL Alternative Book Fest return this weekend with more than 70 stalls and two days' worth of events – at a new venue that's literally underground.

In need of a good dose of artisanal artsiness? You might want to drop by Art For Grabs, the ever-popular arts and crafts market that features stalls selling art, trinkets, accessories, organic soaps, homemade fruit spreads, and much more – all made by KL’s very own motley crew of underground artists and hobbyists.

Happening concurrently with Art For Grabs is the KL Alternative Book Fest (KLAB), the annual book fair now in its eighth edition. The book fest, hosted by local publisher Fixi, will feature more than 20 stalls selling titles by local independent publishers such as Fixi, Dubook, Terfaktab, Merpati Jingga, and Thukul Cetak.

Aside from stalls, Art For Grabs and KLAB are also featuring a two-day programme of events that include book launches, readings, forums and film screenings – check out the schedule below. All will take place on March 21 and 22 at Dataran Underground, the recently refurbished underground complex beneath Dataran Merdeka. 

Above, a drawing by Shika, one of the artists participating in Art For Grabs. Try to get your hands on one of these doodled shoes (below) by Dood. – Facebook

Art For Grabs and KLAB events schedule

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

12pm – Reading: Hikayat Raja Babi (The Story of the Pig King)

Fixi presents a reading of this classic of Malay literature written in 1775 by Usup ibn Abdul Kadir that tells the fantastical story of a Malay prince who was born a pig and became the greatest hero of his age.

2pm – Film Premiere: Ragut (Snatch) & Book Launch: BitterTerfaktab presents a new short film directed by Razif Mt Zain. Meanwhile, Merpati Jingga presents a new collection of short stories by Bissme S.

3:30pm – Triple Book Launch by Dubook Press
Dubook Press launches three new books: Karya Agong (Masterpiece) by Nasron Yasin; Kapal Terbang Imaginari (Imaginary Aeroplanes) by Hani Suraya; and Keldai dan Kitab (Donkey and Scripture) by Azman Husin.

4:30pm – Book Launch: Cerpen-cerpen Underground (Underground Stories)
Thukul Cetak presents a new anthology of short stories by Faisal Tehrani.

5:30pm – Triple Book Launch by FixiFixi launches three new novels: Pentas (Stage) by Anuar Shah; Lari (Run) by Mim Jamil; and Wild Things by Nick Fuller.

6.30pm – Film Forum: Dreaming Big: Can Malaysian filmmakers make their dream films in Malaysia?FINAS presents a forum on Malaysian cinema, discussing the challenges that face local filmmakers who want create thought-provoking films. Speakers include: Datuk Kamil Othman, Director-General of FINAS; Lina Tan, founder of Red Communications; Woo Ming Jin, producer-director; James Lee, filmmaker and head of Doghouse73 Pictures; and Rewan Ishak, filmmaker. The forum will be moderated by Nadira Ilana, filmmaker.

Poster for the short film Ragut, directed by Razif Mt Zain, which will premiere at Art For Grabs this weekend. – Facebook

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

12pm – Doodle BattleDoodle Malaysia – Do you doodle? presents a live Doodle Battle.

2pm – Book Launches by Moka Mocha InkMoka Mocha Ink launches new titles: Polaroid by Mohd Azmeen; Rebel by Saat Omar;Superfiksyen, a new anthology of short fiction; and Noorzine 002.

3pm – Forum: Bahasa & Aktivisme: Pembebas atau Penghalang? (Language & Activism: Help or Hindrance?)Projek Dialog presents a forum on how the use of English and Malay terms related to human rights affect activism work. Speakers include: Syahredzan Johan; Michelle Yesudas; Emmanuel Joseph; Nadira Ilana; Uthaya Sankar SB; and Shafiqah Othman.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 21 & 22

12pm to 8pm – Film Screenings: Filem-Filem Underground (Underground Films)FINAS presents a one-off showcase of Malaysian short films, curated by filmmaker Nadira Ilana, in conjunction with the 27th Malaysian Film Festival and KL Converge. The films, which will be shown as a loop over the duration of the screening period, include:
1. Budak Baru (New Kid) directed by Megat Sharizal
2. Fix directed by We Jun Cho
3. Hujan Panas (Sunshower) directed by Nadiah Hamzah
4. Langad di Odu (Grandma’s Longing) directed by Bebbra Mailin
5. My Name is Francois directed by Ismail Jamaludin
6. Pasak (Wedge) directed by Amanda Nell Eu
7. Welcome to Kampung Radioaktif (Welcome to Radioactive Village) directed by Liew Seng Tat
8. Kekasih (Lover) directed by Diffan Norman
9. Springtime Nostalgia directed by Edmund Yeo