The committee is composed of volunteers, creative visionaries and community leaders (Photo: Nine Arts Festival)
The inaugural Nine Arts Festival will feature interdisciplinary programmes of performing and visual arts through productions as well as workshops, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Negeri Sembilan 2026 from Aug 14 to 16.
Founded by pianist and educator Foo Mei Yi with support from the royal patronage of Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin, the occasion aims to bolster meaningful dialogue and collaborative approaches guided by the theme “Origin”. It explores the ways in which local heritage and customs remain evergreen in the pursuit of creative expression in modern times, and will take place at Millennia Village, a senior living resort and multigenerational retreat in Desa Millennia Mutiara, Seremban, alongside key locations across the city.
Kicking off the event is Navarasa, a dance act inspired by the nine emotional states depicted in Indian aesthetic theory. Talents are part of the Sutra Dance Theatre, a national stronghold of traditional and contemporary arts helmed by choreographer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim.
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Eastern and Western classical compositions converge to form a unique soundscape that ties the presentation together. Be spellbound by “Love” when dancers spin and step to Clair de Lune from Debussy’s Suite bergamasque, while enjoying “Anger” and “Heroism”, which are improvisational, one-of-a-kind pieces. Guests will be treated to a buffet dinner before the recital.
Those looking to unleash their creativity can spend the following morning at Art Together, a community engagement initiative that gathers people for a drawing session at Seremban Lake Gardens. Both adults and youngins are offered the opportunity to learn from skilled artists from the Negeri Sembilan Art Society, while introducing a competition for those under 18 to submit works based on predetermined landscapes and architectural structures. The award ceremony will be held on Aug 16.
Look forward to a multi-sensory experience with a double feature that demonstrates how storytelling can transcend time and genre. A screening of the 1917 silent film The Adventurer starring Charlie Chaplin will be accompanied by tunes played on the piano, violin and caklempong, an instrument native to the state. Fusion Wayang Kulit’s staging of The Legend of Seri Lama carries the evening forward after a brief interval.
Capping off the weekend is The Big Stage Quiz. Actor Chacko Vadaketh and singer Beza Cabeza take on different characters as musicians are challenged to follow their cues. The “Guess Who” interactive game show blurs the boundary between entertainer and spectator, turning the audience into active participants during an afternoon filled with surprises and laughter.
For the schedule or to purchase tickets, visit here.
This article first appeared on Aug 10, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
