Culture Vulture 

Festivals: Each of the island's many cultural communities – Chinese, Malay, Indians, Sikhs, Eurasians, Burmese, Thai, Arab and others celebrate their unique festivals, mostly religious like the Aidil Fitri, Aidil Adha, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Boria, Loy Krathong, Nine Emperors, Baisakhi, Diwali, Thaipusam and others.
In Penang for example, you can catch street performances like hand puppet shows and Chinese operas during the month of the Hungry Ghosts and the two-week long Mooncake Festival. For other festivals, check out Penang's busy calendar of events celebrated throughout the year and the interesting stories behind some of them. Click here for list.
Get a little culture: Some restaurants stage cultural performances for diners, such as the Malay cultural dances at the Eden Seafood Village or classical Indian performances at the Temple of Fine Arts.  

Putting on the Ritz: Day or night, Penang is alive with the sound of music and the show of entertainment in a multiplicity of languages. Like the Brazillians for example, music and entertainment are imbued in the psyche of Penangites, whether it is modern or traditional. Take a walk around Little India – notice how the air is filled with the energetic beat of modern Bollywood songs and the soothing strains of classical sitar? Or the caterwauling of street-staged Chinese opera (or Chinese Wayang)? The beat of the kompang drum during a Malay wedding procession? Suffice it to say that entertainment and Penang are, to borrow a Malay phrase, like the cleaving of the betel nut – "Bagaikan buah pinang dibelah dua". The two-halves complement one another.

Penang has an active calendar of musical and arty activities to satisfy even the most ravenous culture vulture. The annual Penang-YTL Arts Festival, for example, showcases all things art – a symphony orchestra, live theatre, jazz jams, cultural dances, art exhibition and more.

Several operatic and Broadway-type performances, such as Madama Butterfly and Carmen have been staged at the Dewan Sri Pinang. Check local papers for updates, or call the Dewan Sri at Tel: 04-261 4700 or Fax: 04-263 9591.
The Actors Studio in Greenhall at 32, Lebuh Light (next to the Dewan Sri). The Actors Studio was set up in 1989 by husband and wife team of Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican, two important names in plays and TV dramas. TAS's stage productions are known for their delicate balancing of the flavour of Malaysiana with the eloquence of the West. Contact them at 604-263 5400 for information on performances.

The Instant Café Theatre is a Kuala Lumpur-based troupe whose claim to fame are, to borrow a phrase from their website, "wickedly funny satirical revues which lampoon everything from Malaysian social mores to political skullduggery". To date, the Company has performed hundreds of revue shows for the Malaysian public and for private/corporate functions in most of the major cities in Malaysia including Penang. Contact them at Tel:603-248 5192, Fax:603-248 5234 or email: instantcafe@po.jaring.my for information on performances in Penang or elsewhere.

For classical music aficionados, the Penang State Symphony Orchestra & Chorus (PESSOC) give regular performances of symphonies, chamber music and choral works from a wide range of musical periods – baroque, classical, romantic and modern. Contact PESSOC at 012-562 2117 or 604-2622462; email: pessoc@myjaring.net

Museums and art galleries: For a little intellectual stimulation, the city boasts several museums and art galleries.

Sports and Recreation – bowling, equestrian, flying, golfing, swimming and turf meets: Let your holiday in Penang bring out your sporty side! Work out and get fit! Those not content with lying on a beach basking in the sun and enjoying the surf should check out other sports and recreational activitities available in Penang. 

A Shopper's Delight: A visit to Penang is also not complete if you don't indulge in shopping sprees at the several shopping complexes and flea market. Click here for list.

Places of Attractions on the island and mainland: In terms of historical wealth, Penang ranks with Malacca as the two most significant places on the map. While Malacca's heritage is more influenced by the Dutch and Portuguese, Penang's inheritance is definitely more British. A large part of the English influence is found in the old colonial structures, most of which are still standing. They include private residences, schools, museum, government buildings and offices.

Juxtaposing with the colonial buildings are Asian-styled architecture from Indonesia, China, Thai, Burmese and others. An intriguing combination, one could describe the cityscape of George Town as a smorgasbord of the unique and the beautiful, of European grandeur and Asian charm. Click here for list.

Heritage Trails within George Town: Parts of old George Town appear to have successfully captured a moment in the past and preserved it for posterity. Taking a walk through the city's historic areas is akin to travelling back to gentler times. Learn about historical structures and famous people. All American Express - Penang Heritage Trails can be easily explored by following the information on leaflets and maps provided and are best done on foot.

Each trail will take one and a half hours for a leisurely stroll, or up to three hours if you investigate each cultural attraction along the way. Participants are advised to wear proper walking shoes, lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or to use an umbrella. A bottle of drinking water would be necessary as you are sure to become thirsty during the tour. Decent clothes are de rigueur when entering houses of worship.

George Town Penang Tourists Entertainment Guides