APRIL'S JAZZ CLUB

Kota Kinabalu is home to April's Jazz Club, the finest jazz spot in the state of Sabah. Located at KK Times Square, April's is notable for its roster of bands-in-residence.

Location:

Unit P1/G/41, 1st Floor, Block G, Signature Office, KK Times Square (Right opposite of Orange Convenience Store)

Business Hours:

Sundays to Thursdays - 5pm to 1am

Friday, Saturdays and Eve of Public Holidays - 5pm to 2am

Roster for April's Jazz Club:Tuesdays - Instrumental Jazz Sessions

Wednesdays - Latin Jazz Wednesdays with Joan Jim and Friends

Thursdays - Instrumental Jazz Sessions

Fridays - Rene Barrow and Friends

Saturdays - Saturday Jazz (Contemporary Jazz Sessions) with Joan Jim and Friends

Sundays - Events/Moonbeam Open Mic and Jam Sessions

WEAVING BEADS FUN THIS FRIDAY

This Friday the 5th of September, learn basic bead weaving during the TSS KK Workshop. Mrs. Inohiying, also known as Lonie Ligon originating from Penampang will conduct a workshop for the public on the authentic local Sabah bead weaving. 

Wanna learn them skills, then get your hands on this Friday, from 7.30am till 9.30pm at The Secretariat, Damai Plaza. If you came and get your hands-on training there tomorrow, you can bring home your own craft that you weaved.

Register yourself now for only RM35 per person by contacting them at 088-250 443 or alternatively you could also email them at sabahsoc@gmail.com.

A little back story on Mrs. Inohiying; her interest in bead weaving started when she was just a little girl. She grew up watching our local women weaving beads and selling them at local tamu. Through her self motivation, she's now a part of the Usahawan Kraftangan Malaysia team that travels in, around and outside of Malaysia to promote Sabah's bead weaving through these workshops. She has helped many local women setup their own small booths selling Sabah beads and she also owns a small shop at Star City.

LOCALLY HAND-MADE ARTS & CRAFTS

We have lots of local artists that creates beautiful arts and crafts. Wanna see 'em? You can! Next month, there will be a three-day annual event that features the works by local arts and crafts friends.

The '17th Decorative Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale' will take place from the 4th till the 6th of October at the Sabah Trade Centre. Doors will be open from 10am to 7.30 in the evening.

If you like what you see or you see what you like, no problemo, because you'll be able to buy them creative little creations. Don't forget to come and support our local hand-made crafts.

DILMAH REAL HIGH TEA CHALLENGE'S SOLE EAST MALAYSIA WINNER

Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge Malaysia 2014 was held for the first time at the Berjaya University College of Hospitality last 14th and 15th June 2014. As much as 13 teams from 12 top hospitality venues from all around Malaysia competed during the challenge to be crowned the top three in the nation. Grabbing one of the top three places, and the sole winner from East Malaysia is Executive Chef Kris Budiarto, the head chef at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

Chef Kris Budiarto receives award from culinary extraordinaire Bernd Uber, recipient of the prestigious Sidney Taylor Memorial Black Hat Award.

Craig Powell , the general manager of Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa told the media that he was very proud of his head chef's achievement. The competition seeks to redefine high tea by inspiring and educating culinary professionals of the true depth and character of tea. It also presents an opportunity for culinary professionals to explore the true potential of tea and its ingredients in both gastronomy and mixology.

(Top to bottom): Orange smoked duck with onion marmalade bagel, Salmon mascarpone mousse with butter scone, Religieuse Cassis Framboise, Sunburst and Tarte Litchi Rose with French vanilla.

Participants were judged in terms of food presentation, understanding of tea cultivation, knowledge tea flavours and use of sustainable ingredients to reflect the values of Dilmah.

CIRCLE RESTAURANT'S TRADITIONAL KADAZAN CUISINE

Traditional Kadazan cuisine makes excellent use of a variety of wild jungle ingredients such as bamboo shoots and palm sago, yet employs little use of oil. From simple appetizers of unripe mango with prawn paste, salt and chili to a variety of pickled foods collectively known as “noonsom”, tangy and pungent flavours from souring agents or fermentation techniques is a key characteristic of traditional Kadazan cooking.

Inspired by the destination and curated by local culinary talents, our Taste of Discovery dishes showcasing local or “Tampatan” specialties aim to stimulate your tastebuds.

Engage your palate with the flavours of salt, vinegar, spicy and sweet through such traditional gastronomic creations as the Hinava, Pinasakan, Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf, Ayam Bambangan, Tampatan Trio and Sago Special.

The five specialties are newly introduced at Circle Restaurant. Ask our associates about them.

VINEGAR 26

Traditional ‘ Hinava ‘ Appertiser 

Marinated mackerel with lime, ginger, chili and garnished with local salad.

Hinava tenggiri dihidang dengan salad daun pegaga.

SALT 38

Pinasakan Sada in Wild Borneo Herbs 

Slow braised mackerel in taco baco sour gravy, served with bambangan, lime chili and hill rice. 

Pinasakan ikan tenggiri dihidang dengan bambangan, lada assam and nasi bukit.

SPICE 46

Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf 

Local spiced tiger prawns grilled in banana leaf and served with steamed hill rice, wild onion salad and prawn paste.

Udang harimau dipanggang dalam daun pisang abd dighidang dengan nasi bukit, salada daun bawang and sambal belacan.

SPICE 38

Ayam Bambangan 

Baked spring chicken marinated in bambangan lemongrass gravy, served with steamed hill rice and stir fried wild fern shoot.

Ayam muda masak bambangan dan dhidang dengan nasi bukit and pakis belacan.

TAMPATAN TRIO 70 

An exciting combination of Traditional Hinava, Tiger Prawn in Banana Leaf & Ayam Bambangan Served with steamed hill rice and discovery condiments.

Kombinasi makanan tradisi Sabah yang terdiri dari hinava, udang harimau dan ayam bambangan dihidang dengan nasi bukit dan kondimen.

SUGAR 24

Sago Discovery 

Chilled sago served with palm sugar, coconut milk and Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream.

Sago gula Melaka dihidang dengan ais krim vanilla Haagen Dazs.

LE MERIDIEN: NOUVELLE VAGUE & SPARKLING EVENT

Last April the 29th at Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts made an announcement about their global partnership with a French Bosa Nova band, Nouvelle Vague to create a 24-hour soundtrack for every Le Méridien hotels all around the world, including the one we have here, in Kota Kinabalu. But, that wasn't the only thing exciting happening at the Le Méridien hotel. Coinciding with the global partnership, they also launched Le Méridien brand's new global beverage program, Le Méridien Sparkling, inspired heavily by its European culture.

To celebrate all of these great things, and more great things to come, Le Méridien hotels around the globe will be hosting an event called, Santés, which means, 'to cheer' and the first Santé took place at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur. The first event featured a live performance by Nouvelle Vague. Other Le Méridien hotels will then host Santé events over the next 24-hours as the sun begins to set in their destinations.

Additionally, Nouvelle Vague will embark on a global tour of select Le Méridien hotels and resorts throughout 2014. Following their performance at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur, the band will travel to Le Méridien Abu Dhabi on May 8, followed by exclusive performances at Le Méridien Shanghai and Le Méridien New Delhi later this year. The performances coincide with the launch of new Hubs in these destinations. For a full list of tour stops, visit www.lemeridien.com/music or click http://goo.gl/sBzSBv for a sneak peak of Nouvelle Vague’s 24-hour hotel soundtrack.

Signature brand cocktails available at Le Méridien hotels worldwide include: String of Pearls, blueberry and lemon infused Grand Marnier, topped with sparkling wine and garnished with lemon peel strips and blueberries soaked in Grand Marnier; Aperol + Raspberry Spritz, Aperol and homemade raspberry and vanilla soda topped with Prosecco and garnished with a raspberry; and Peaches, Vanilla + Prosecco, peach puree, lime juice, and homemade vanilla syrup topped with Prosecco and garnished with vanilla bean shaving. Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu will also feature a variety of destination inspired sparkling beverages such as Crushed Emerald Projito, Lychee Bellini, Enliven Payato Sling, Fresh Rosemary, Twisted Red Velvet and Oceanus Breeze.

GET MOMMY A COMPLIMENTARY HIGH TEA FROM DREAMTEL ON MOTHER'S DAY!

This May, celebrate moms by bringing yours to Dreamtel's 'Raja Kuring' for a pleasant high tea. Bring your mom over on Mother's Day, that's on 11th of May and enjoy high tea from 12:30pm - 3:30pm.

AND, if you're having a high tea with a minimum paying guest of 4 (four), the mother can enjoy her high tea, for FREE! You saw right, Free!

Price: RM38++ per adult while RM19++ per child age 6-12 years old. Wait no more. Call 088-240333 for reservation now.

CITRARASA SABAH FOOD FEST A SUCCESS!

On the 18th of April 2014, Citrarasa Sabah Food Festival made their first ever grand appearance at KK Times Square. The celebration was warmed up by kids colouring contest featuring the theme of Citrarasa Sabah and KK Food Festival, cultural dance performance by Jabatan Kebudayaan and Kesenian and the climax of the night was the visitation of our Minister of Tourism, Cultural and Environment Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. This food festival continued for another 2 days (19th to 20th April) along with exciting stage activities such as sea worm and sago worm eating challenge, bar tending competition, egg painting exhibition and not forgetting live movie screening sessions and a Jazz band played by KKFF’s favorite, Diary Of Us. 

Bartending Display at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

The Team Behind Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

Children Coloring Contest at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

The crowd at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

The crowd at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

YB Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun trying the 'Butod' at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

YB Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun visiting vendors at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

Stage shows at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

Tourists trying the 'Sumazau' at the Citrarasa Sabah Food Fest

PROTECTING OUR REEF: MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), also commonly referred to as marine reserve areas or marine managed areas, exist worldwide having been established since the 1960s on tropical and temperate reefs. Despite the different names or types, their main purpose is to protect a sea area or zone from any human-caused disturbances such as over-harvesting of marine animals, use of destructive fishing practices or tourism development. They can also be zoned for specific uses, such as tourism (snorkelling, diving, etc.), scientific research, and conservation. All in all, MPAs act as a management tool for fisheries and the conservation of biodiversity.

Scientific research has affirmed the effectiveness of MPAs in:

improving ecological diversity

protecting coral reefs (which are an important habitat for most marine animals, especially juveniles)

MPAs are managed by the Federal government (Department of Marine Parks Malaysia or DMPM), State governments (Sabah and Sarawak government), and private companies in Malaysia.

The areas that are protected have proven to benefit marine biodiversity, helping to recover fish populations affected by overfishing. The establishment of protected areas is increasing around the world. Indeed, one of the strategic plans of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which state that at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas should be conserved effectively and equitably managed by 2020. Malaysia currently has 1.4 percent of MPAs; more must be done to meet international targets and standards.

GLUTTONY AT ITS BIGGEST: CITARASA SABAH

At yesterday's press conference for the "Citarasa Sabah Food Festival 2014", the second biggest event to promote Malaysia to the world, in line with the "Visit Malaysia 2014", fellow media and bloggers were present to get to know more about this event, that will be taking place at KK Times Square on the 18th till the 20th April!

Many activities are in store, not only for the adults, but also for the little toddlers. Apart from the esteemed representative from the organizing team, also present, is the internationally known local celebrity chef, Chef Johan. He told the media that he'll be doing a cooking demonstration that you've never seen and tasted before.

As many as 5,000 visitors per day are expected during the three days period and they're aiming mainly on the tourists. Because of that, there will be a shuttle bus available for the public routing from Suria Sabah to KK Times Square with 4 to 5 trips a day, making it easier for everyone to go to the event site.

Also available are the local 'kampung' delicacies such as the sea worm and the sago worm. For the brave heart with stomach of steel, you might wanna come down and have a bite.

There is no excuse for not going to the fair because it will open at 11am and closes only at 9pm! And as if that's not enough, there will also be something for everyone. From the Exotic Food 101, to the Malay Delicacy Boulevard, the St. Vegetarian Sections, Everything Durian Mini Expo, Le Hawker Food Street, the Bartending Competition, starlight cinema and last stop, Kiddies Utopia. So, spending the whole day at the site won't be a waste of time.

This will be the gluttony indulgence at its grandest. For more information, do visit the websites for Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and KK Food Festival.

SPRING/SUMMER FASHION WEEK WITH SURIA SABAH

Suria Sabah is going to be having a Spring/Summer Fashion Show week from the 18th to 20th of April. There will be a lot of cool activities in store for you guys from fashion to music with a lot of amazing prizes to be won.

There will be fashion show, make-over contest, kiddy catwalk competition, dancing performance, DJ performance and many other more!

If you have a little toddles that has an eye for fashion, do let them join in the 'Kiddy's Catwalk Competition'. Please read the poster below for more information on how to enter your kids into the catwalk competition that will take place on the 16th until 19th April.

If you guys want to be eligible to join in the chance to win a lucky draw, then observe the poster below carefully to make sure you could win awesome prizes. The lucky draw period will be a one moth span (from 4th April till 4th May 2014). So, don't miss your chance and head to Suria Sabah today!

CITARASA SABAH '14: FOOD & CULTURE COLIDES

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTEC) will be collaborating with Kota Kinabalu Food Festival 2014 (KKFF'14) to organize "Citarasa Sabah", the biggest food festival in Sabah. Expect three days full of varied seafood, exotic local foods, unforgettable dining experience, cultural show, cooking competition and more during the grand opening on the 18th of April 2014 at KK Times Square and the event will carry on until the 20th of April. But, the Citarasa Sabah won't just stop there. With multiple participating hotels all around Sabah, they will continue serving local scrumptious delicacies for lunch and dinners throughout the whole month.

The fanfare-like food festival will be, in Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun's own words, "the second biggest event for Sabah in line with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014". Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun will also be there to officiate the event.

Citarasa Sabah will be officially opened on the 18th April 2014 from 5 to 7pm while the food bazaar will go on everyday from the 18th to 20th of April from as early as 11am until 9pm in the evening, and this all is happening at KK Times Square.

If you need more information regarding the Citarasa Sabah food festival, do visit their website at KKFoodFest. 

EARTH HOUR MOVEMENT WITH HYATT REGENCY KINABALU

The Earth Hour is closing in and Hyatt Regency Kinabalu will be organizing, together with the Cycling Organization of Kota Kinabalu, the Earth Hour mass cycling.

The approximately 16km route will be guided by safety marshals and it will be starting at Hyatt Regency itself, in the heart of the city. Cyclist will be gathering at the Shenanigan's terrace, where the mass cycling will be officially flagged off at 8.30pm, the designated global Earth Hour Movement's point off.

The cyclist will be cycling through the serene sea-side of Jalan Tun Fuad, also known as Tanjung Lipat and then they'll be continuing on and pass by the Menara Tun Fuad Stephens and lastly reaching the Kingfisher roundabout, before heading back to the starting point. 

This mass cycling event is a way for Hyatt Regency to show how much they do care about the environment, to send out a message and to educate the public on the importance of sustaining our environment's balance. 

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, will be dimming their unnecessary lightings in and out of their hotel building in support for the Eart Hour movement.

General public and anyone interested in joining the cause, are very much welcome to partake.