Zeppo Youngsterz kicks off the night with a high-energy performance. – Photo by Jude Toyat

KUCHING (Sept 22): The inaugural ‘Night at the Museum’ (NatM), held at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) on Saturday evening, was touted as a resounding success, showcasing a vibrant blend of heritage, talent, and entertainment.

Organised by the Sarawak Museum Department, the event began at 8pm and attracted approximately 400 attendees, including Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Syerifah Farah and Aniq Durar hosts the inaugural ‘Night at the Museum’. – Photo by Jude Toyat

 

The evening, hosted by Syerifah Farah Wan Taha and Aniq Durar, kicked off with an electrifying performance by Zeppo Youngsterz, a high-energy dance crew from Kuala Lumpur.

The group made history as the first Malaysian team to win the Body Rock dance competition held in San Diego, California, impressing audiences at the finals with their unique fusion concept last year.

The evening progressed with an array of stellar performances, including the Prodigy Orchestra which featured celebrated local talents such as Firdaus Materang and Banie Faizu, saxophonist Armand Malik, and the ever-charismatic Wilfred Vincent, also touted as Sarawak’s ‘Elvis Presley’.

Musical theatre performance ‘Kerajaan Banting’, which depicts the rise of the Kerajaan Banting in Batang Lupar during the 16th century. – Photo by Jude Toyat

 

The evening resonated with covers of timeless classics such as ‘Feeling Good’, ‘L.O.V.E’, and ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, captivating the audience.

Adding a touch of elegance to the event, a traditional fashion show titled ‘Legacy of Elegance’ showcased traditional Sarawakian costumes.

Choreographed by Dr Sharifah Suzana Wan Shukran, the fashion parade highlighted the beauty and artistic expression of Sarawak’s diverse cultures.

The intricate designs captured the essence of the state’s unique racial and cultural diversity, ranging from proud warrior outfits to elegantly detailed women’s attire.

A line-up of the evening’s talented performers. – Photo by Jude Toyat

 

One of the night’s most anticipated segments was the musical theatre performance ‘Kerajaan Banting’, which depicted the rise of the Kerajaan Banting in Batang Lupar during the 16th century.

Written and directed by Zakaria Ali Hassan, the production emphasised unity, religion, and cultural harmony, offering the crowd a glimpse into the foundation of Sarawak’s diverse society.

The night reached its crescendo with a special performance by Anuar Zain, one of Malaysia’s most beloved artists.

Anuar performs ‘Lelaki Ini’, accompanied by a slideshow showcasing Wan Junaidi and Abang Johari. – Photo by Jude Toyat

 

His soulful renditions of ‘Keabadian Cinta’, ‘Ketulusan Hati’, and ‘Lelaki Ini’ added a touch of nostalgia and grandeur to the evening.

Anuar’s performance was accompanied by a slideshow showcasing Sarawak’s past and present Heads of State and Chief Ministers, reflecting the deep affection citizens of the state have for their leaders.

As the final performance, a rousing cover of Earth, Wind and Fire’s ‘September’, brought the evening to a close, it left the audience on a high note, marking the event as a night to remember.

Since its opening in March 2022, BCM has welcomed a record-breaking 1.1 million visitors, establishing itself as a vital hub for both local and international tourism.

Staff members of the Sarawak Museum Department in a group photo, taken after the event. – Photo by Jude Toyat

 

Earlier, Abdul Karim pointed out that the NatM programmes aims to showcase a selection of the museum’s star collections, honouring history and fostering a deeper appreciation for the unique identities that shape the community in Borneo and Sarawak.

“Tonight marks the first NatM held at BCM, and it will certainly not be the last,” he said.