Newsflash: There are two long weekends this month. Get the most out of your month by checking out these choice events and things to do in KL and PJ in June 2024. As we come off the high of celebrating the Harvest Festival in both East and West Malaysia, remember that more is to come.
If you adore the classics, a couple of standout performances await your patronage—one at the nation’s most treasured venues and one of Asia’s leading orchestras, and another at an established performance art centre that has been cultivating the local theatre scene. There are also ephemeral exhibitions that you won’t want to miss out on, including one that sheds light on Japanese folklore. Beyond that, there are also activities that include you in the action. Local yoga school Karmayoga is hosting a class that’s unlike any other.
Things to do in KL and PJ in June 2024
A Journey Through Time with The Macallan
In conjunction with the whisky brand’s 200th anniversary, The Macallan embarks on a journey through time. What’s on the agenda? Experiencing the classic Boulevardier cocktail, reinterpreted through past, present, and future tenses using the Double Cask range. The Macallan has collaborated with seven cocktail bars in Malaysia: Astor Bar, Annabell KL, Remedy Cocktail Bar, Louie’s, Reka:Bar, Backdoor Bodega in Penang, and Haiiro Usagi in Johor Bahru. Each bar will have a flight of three cocktails using The Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, and 18 Year Old respectively. The bartenders will imbue their personal touch to these interpretations of the Boulevardier, so no two bar will produce the same cocktail.
You can head to any one of these cocktail bars from June 1st to July 31st to try these cocktail flights or have them individually. Do make your reservations at the respective bars.
Date: 1 June to 31 July 2024
“NINGYO: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls”
Who says you can’t get an international cultural education at home? Because waiting for you at the National Museum are 67 Japanese dolls that are split into four categories, but all showcasing a slice of the cultural wonders of Japan. See how the dolls take part in seasonal festivals, how they expand as an artistic impression and more. The exhibition promises to offer not only an in-depth look into the heritage but also contemporary treasures that are sought-after across the globe.
Date: from 7 May to 8 July 2024
Address: Muzium Negara, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, 50566, Kuala Lumpur
World Cocktail Day
The only right way to celebrate World Cocktail Day (which was on 13 May) is to get yourself a thirst-quenching tipple. Over in the heart of Kuala Lumpur however, the festivity stretches until 23 June, where you can hit The Botanist Lounge & Bar to slurp up a special and spicy cocktail, curated especially by PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur’s Head Mixologist. But there’s more, of course. The limited-time bar menu also boasts a bold speciality drink that came from the hands of Pan Pacific Singapore’s Head Mixologist. If you can take the heat, then make your way there stat.
Date: now to 23 June 2024
Address: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
A Rediscovery of Cantonese Classics with Guest Chef Lee
A fan of Cantonese food? Then you’re in luck because Chef Lee is here to wow you with his chef skills. Bringing with him the experience he’s garnered from renowned establishments in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, the Ipoh-born chef will be dropping his anchor at Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur for just two days for a spectacular dining showcase featuring a specially-curated menu. With signature dishes such as the Tea-smoked Chicken Wings wrapped with Cured Meat and Glutinous rice, and Steamed Red Star Grouper Fillet with Jin Hua Ham and Mushrooms, be sure to snag a seat at this table for a finger-lickin’ good time.
Date: 6 to 7 June 2024
Address: Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Price: from RM398
Table Lamp Concert: Kirana Kay
Marking her decade-long career as a vocalist, this contemporary singer is set to take on the intimate space at Jaotim. With a voice that can seamlessly flit from soulful R&B to contemporary jazz, to even pop-rock anthems, make sure you snag tickets to witness her showmanship live. Her resume includes performances at the prestigious Georgetown Festival in Penang and entertaining esteemed guests aboard the uber-luxe Eastern Oriental Express.
Date: 12 June 2024
Address: Jaotim KL, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM80
Celestial Serenade
A real gem in our list of things to do in KL in June 2024 is this spectacular musical showcase at the Philharmonic Orchestra. In an astounding first, the orchestra introduces a new instrument into the mix: the suona. A double-reeded classical Chinese instrument with a storied past, the suona will be played by China’s first doctorate student who specialises in the instrument and a virtuoso, Liu Wenwen. Playing the legendary classic “Hundred Birds Worshipping the Phoenix,” “Flying Dragon Leaping Tiger,” and more, the Celestial Serenade is bound to be one of the year’s highlights from the orchestra.
Date: 1 June 2024
Address: Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Petronas Twin Towers, Tower 2, Level 2, 50088, Kuala Lumpur
Price: from RM238 to RM458
GastroMonth Kuala Lumpur 2024
Foodies, this is the event you won’t want to miss because 20 exceptional—and MICHELIN-recognised— chefs from both Kuala Lumpur and Penang will be transporting you to gastronomy heaven as they dish out multi-course menus spread out across some of the top restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. With only 10 nights on the table, be sure to snag yourself (and your date!) a seat at this prestigious dining spectacle to bear witness to the mastery of Malaysia’s culinary greats.
Date: 31 May to 30 June 2024
Address: across Kuala Lumpur
Price: from RM522 per person to RM1,589 per person
Glimpse of Lights & Coppélia
Consider this you getting two shows at the price of one. The first part will be a part of a cheeky ballet classic, Coppélia Act III. One of the definitive comic ballets, the story follows Swanhilda who saves her paramour Franz from sacrificing himself to bring a mechanical doll (Coppélia) to life. Act III begins with the couple getting married but interrupted by the doll’s dismayed creator.
The second part of the show is a Malaysian original, where artists Fauzi Amirudin and Erica Liew have choreographed Glimpse of Light. Taking inspiration from the refraction of light, it looks to the colours found in nature to reflect the ups and downs of life.
Date: 8 June to 9 June 2024
Address: klpac, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Sentul, 51100, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM78
Kerala Spice Trail Series: Lunch with Chef Sapna Anand
Bringing a slice of her home, Chef Sapna Anand, external chef instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Sunway Malaysia and author of cookbooks New Indian Kitchen and Fast Indian Cooking, is set to serve up a tasteful experience of a lifetime at this series hosted by Temu House. If you love a good banana leaf meal, then this is the one to head to. The “Queen of Spice” has a menu prepared, and it includes the staple Kerala chicken curry, vegetable and beetroot thorans, injipuli, and more. Already salivating? Book fast because we bet this dining event will be much sought-after.
Date: 8 June 2024
Address: Temu House, Jalan 16/9e, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Price: RM125
Karma Vinyasa with Karmayoga
Get your stretch in with Karmayoga at this immersive experience. In partnership with Rexperience, this intermediate Karma Vinyasa class is going to take place at what was Rex Cinema. This one is special because it’s practically held in an art space as the cutting-edge digital art swirls on surfaces. However, if you miss out on this month’s event, don’t worry. It’s part of a series, so the next sessions are available each month til September. Small tripods are welcome, so be sure to bring yours to capture some killer clips!
Date: 22 June 2024
Address: REXKL, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM80
Booking opens three weeks before class.
Overture
Last, but not least, we have the whimsical works of Wee Xian, a Malaysian watercolourist. Overture is a window into the artist’s world, one where he discovered his love for art. Set in his birthplace and the historical city of Melaka, you will see pieces of his favourite places and moments captured in vibrant watercolour. It’s his first solo exhibition, and over 25 paintings are set to be displayed at this Taman Paramount establishment.
Date: 18 June to 30 June 2024
Address: Awegallery, Jalan 20/13, Taman Paramount, 46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor