(ANN/THE STAR) – The Palate Palette, a cherished creative hub and arts café in Kuala Lumpur, is set to make a special pop-up comeback this Saturday at the Zhongshan building in Kampung Attap.
Established in late 2006 on Jalan Mesui, Palate Palette quickly became known for its inclusive atmosphere and eclectic events.
The venue hosted a variety of gatherings, including live music performances (from reggae to indie), pop-up art exhibitions, Sunday sessions, eco film screenings, comedy nights, and DJ events.
After nearly a decade of fostering a vibrant arts community, the venue closed its doors in mid-2014.
“The venue always exuded a non-mainstream spirit; we were eager to experiment with new ideas, and Kuala Lumpur was abuzz with an exciting community of creative minds at that time,” said Wong Su-Ann, the founder and driving force behind the venue, with her husband Lim SiSiew by her side.
“Surrounded by amazing people, Palate Palette transformed from a mere restaurant and cafe into a lively creative hub and safe space. Back then, we just called it a ‘hangout joint’ – you catch my drift. It was a remarkable journey, and I feel deeply privileged to have created a place that meant so much to so many,” she added.
Recreating the exact vibe and ambiance of Palate Palette is challenging, but Wong explored how its can-do spirit could be adapted to fit the current times.
The festivities at the upcoming “Palate Palette Pop-Up” will spill across various venues in the Zhongshan building and its surrounding areas, including Tommy le Baker’s, Kantata, Triptyk, and Fono, making for a vibrant celebration.
“The Zhongshan was an ideal venue for this event because many of the creative individuals there were already familiar with or regulars at Palate Palette. They knew our story, now they are helping to share it. It is humbling to see the venues (at the Zhongshan building) warmly embracing this Palate Palette reunion,” said Wong.
A chance to reconnect
“Independent spaces like Palate are increasingly rare today. We organised this ‘pop-up’ event on a whim, but the support grew exponentially as old friends, collaborators, and new supporters stepped up to help bring this event to life,” said Wong.
In a bittersweet twist, AIIA Improv, the KL-based comedy troupe – featuring Tung Jit Yang, Farah Rani, Shamaine Othman, Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, and Ashraf Modee Zain – that has been entertaining audiences since 2007, will be delivering its farewell show at this Palate Palette event.
It’s a fitting tribute, as Palate Palette was the venue for some of its earliest performances, bringing its journey full circle.
Artist Nini Marini, known for adding peacock colours to Palate Palette’s walls, will be hosting a “dreamcatcher” workshop.
Kanta Studio, run by longtime Palate Palette friend Jeffrey Lim, will also be part of the event.
In the early days, Lim screened bicycling video essays and discussed his KL bicycle map series at the venue. This Saturday, he’ll set up a pop-up booth with his mobile portrait studio, specialising in traditional silverprint and box-camera photography.With the close proximity of all the events and venues at the Zhongshan, there’s plenty for the masses to explore.
“The Backlane” will welcome foot traffic early and all through the day, featuring an art installation, a community art wall, and diverse retail vendors like Gerai OA, Sunda Shelves, Snackfood, Merch 4 Palestine, and more.
On the music front, the LapSap deejay duo and roots soundsystem Budculture, mainstay deejays from Palate Palette’s heyday, will headline the party, ensuring the event stretches deep into the night.
