JAYA One in Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, is celebrating National Day with Rantai Merdeka, a three-day festival of independent art, film and music from Aug 29 to 31.

This is the second time such an event has been held to support artists whose talents are often overlooked.

Experimental short films and plays, live bands playing alternative music, poetry, art exhibitions and acoustic performances will be featured at the fest.

They will be two music stages, two areas for the performing arts, a screening room and an art exhibition hall to accomodate the various artistes performing.

Booths will also be set up to display merchandise from the various arts.
Organising chairman Nadrah Radzi said the event is a “collaboration symbolising the unbreakable link between art, music and film”.

“We are coming together to showcase our talents through this festival.

Jaya One executive director Charles Wong said since April, it has been promoting arts among the community.

“We want Jaya One to be known as a platform for independent artists to showcase their works,” he said.

“The art exhibition will run until October, featuring works from 30 artists and art collectives,” he added.

Artists will also participate in a car wash on Aug 30 and 31 from 9am to 1pm to raise funds for Click-A-Child, a foundation for underprivileged children.

Rantai, the organiser behind the event, is an independent collective consisting of art, film and music enthusiasts.

It aims to promote national unity through the arts, provide a platform for young artistes to display their works and give the community an opportunity to meet artistes and appreciate the arts.

Among the artists and art collectives whose works will be on display are KukuBesi, Abdul Rashid, Klobot and Limpah Tak Ruah.

There will be a poem recital by Datuk A. Samad Said and performances by musicians and groups such as Rendra Zawawi, Azmyl Yunor, Matematik, Telebuy, Couple, Estrella, Otam, Brainhead, Danny Gurdesh and Rumi.

The short films include TVnologi by Irwan Mansor, Comolot by Ikram and Bila Punggok Rindukan Bulan by Bennylita Nasuty.

Ajan (Aezlan Shah Abdullah) of Brainhead said his four-member band would be performing for the first time in Jaya One at the festival.

“We love this place and will definitely be back for more,” he said.

The show starts at 10am daily and ends at midnight. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the festival.

Call 012-362-0981, 012-762-8324 or 017-619-9694.