In the Life of DancerGal: 2014 BCAA Nominee Awards Party!

A total of 105 nominees were ecstatic when they were announced that they were eligible for the 11th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards (BCAA or Cammies) The evening, hosted by Alexis Bistro, The Gardens Mall was truly a wonderful experience. It was such a joy to see arts practitioners from all genres of performing arts, gather together. One can only imagine the amount of creativity brewing within the community.

The theme for this year’s Cammies is “Pop Yeh Yeh” pays tribute to the 1960’s and the three legends that embody its spirit of creative freedom. The three legends are none other than Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Dato’ Usman Awang, and Datuk Krishen Jit. This was all announced by emcee Malik Taufiq, who himself was a recipient of a Cammie at the 7th Cammie awards.

Personally, there were some standout nominees to me. For dance, it would have to be Flatland which I was able to watch. Choreographed by Suhaili Micheline and produced by TerryandtheCuz, this one-of-a-kind piece was nominated for 6 out of 8 categories under Dance.

For musical theatre, there are two main nominees that catch my eye. Firstly, The Producers by PAN Productions. Being a musical theatre fan, I can’t help but remind myself of the time I first watched The Producers, the movie-musical. I remember the songs and the depth of the musical which PAN Productions and specifically director, Nell Ng, managed to help us understand the characters better and made it very wonderful to watch. The Producers is nominated for 6 out of 7 categories under Musical Theatre. Secondly has to be the amazingly written and composed piece by Nick Choo, The Edge. I watched The Edge four times and I cried for all four. Having had a personal experience with suicide (no, I have never attempted suicide!), this musical really touches people right in the heart. It was such a joy to watch and is dark and deep in a way that I really enjoyed. Not to mention, the music was memorable. The Edge is nominated for 6 out of 7 categories under Musical Theatre as well. Wow, that’s quite a tight fight.

Regardless of the categories, here’s wishing all the nominees all the best and may your work continue to motivate others to create and work magic to the performing arts industry. In the awards, we may all be competing against one another, but we cannot forget that we are all in the same industry. In order for the industry to prosper, we will need to share our knowledge and creative ideas with one another. Who knows? Your ideas may become reality some day.

Thanks a huge bunch to BOH and Kakiseni for inviting me! :) I had a great night out and was pretty bummed that I missed the other 2 events though :( 

In the Life of DancerGal: My new hobby!

Updated 150914: List of rooms played (will update) 

Hey guys! I know it's been a super long while since my last update. I promised to blog more, but I've been so busy doing so many things (yes, at the same time!) that I haven't really found the time to blog. So anyway, here's a simple and quick update about my newfound hobby: ESCAPING from rooms!

Code Factory

Escape Zone

Traphauz

Break the Code

Mission Break

Breakout

Rush Hour

Escape Room

MissionQ

Escape Dungeon

Freeing Room

When we (and by we, I mean SammoBammo and myself) heard about this, we weren't too sure about it. And then, a few of my friends attempted it for the very first time. Now, if someone doesn't know much about me, all they have to do is play one round of Escape Room with me and then they'll know how I am. I can be insanely competitive so picking the right group was essential and I'm glad we've found an amazing team :)

Anyway, back to the story, the group of friends of mine who played it didn't really make it so we thought we'd try it out. We picked a room that was just for the two of us and suitable for two people. Our first room together was "Abandoned Factory" from Escape Room, e@Curve. We lost the room, but the person who let us out gave us three options. One, leave the room and come back again. Two, he'll give us the hint of the next puzzle and then we come back again. Three, crack the room completely. I wanted to know what was the reason we didn't make it out, so we decided to crack the room. After cracking the room, I learned a couple of things including how to keep my competitiveness in check. Once that was over, we were quite confident to play with my cousin and his partner-in-crime. They have been at this quite often and even blog about each room they play! Read their blog here: http://enigmaticescape.blogspot.com

We then moved on to our second room, "Prison Break" from Escape Room, e@Curve. We had pretty good teamwork and so, we actually managed to escape. The feeling of winning was so intense, that we just had to keep going. Since then, we have been playing rather consistently and although we've only lost one room together, we substitute that horrible disappointing feeling by ensuring that we win more rooms. Here are some of the rooms we've played thus far (and their results, cos I really enjoy gloating!) :P

1. "Abandoned Factory", Escape Room, e@Curve - Lost (2 pax) - has been replaced by The Overlook Hotel: Room 13
2. "Prison Break", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (4 pax) 
3. "Memento", Mission Q, SS15 Subang - Win (For two players only!) 
4. "Prison Break", MissionQ, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax) 
5. "Wonderland", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Win (4 pax)
6. "The Vampire Chronicles", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Lost (4 pax)
7. "Up!", Escape Room, Setiawalk Mall Puchong - Win (#3 for the week - 4 pax)
8. "Dungeons of Doom", Escape Room, Setiawalk Mall Puchong - Win (#2 for the week - 4 pax)
9. "Mummy Room", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (#1 for the week - 4 pax) 
10. "The Treasure Era", Freeing Room, Taman Connaught Cheras - Perfect (2 pax)
11. "Art Gallery", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Win (3 pax)
12. "Missing Corpse", MissionQ, SS15 Subang - Win (#1 Hall of Fame - 6 pax)
13. "Unleashing the Matrix", MissionQ, SS15 Subang - Win (5 pax) - is being replaced
14. "Haunted House", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Win (6 pax)
15. "Taken", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Win (8 pax - #1 for the week!) 
16. "Mysterious Room", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (4 pax)
17. "Secret Lab", Escape Room, Setiawalk Mall, Puchong - Win (6 pax - #2 for the week!) 
18. "Crime Scene", Escape Room, Setiawalk Mall Puchong - Win (6 pax - #3 for the week!) 
19. "Saving Ms. Ryan", Escape Dungeon, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax - #1 Hall of Fame!) 
20. "Trapped", Escape Dungeon, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax - #3 Hall of Fame!) 
21. "Ruins of Damnation", Escape Dungeon, SS15 Subang - Lost (4 pax)
22. "Curious Murder", Escape Dungeon, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax) 
23. "Day and Night", MissionQ, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax) 
24. "Haunted Chamber", Escape Dungeon, SS15 Subang - Win (4 pax - I quit halfway!) 
25. "Fairy Tale", Rush Hour, Setapak - Win (4 pax - no Hall of Fame yet)
26. "Prison Break", Rush Hour, Setapak - Win (4 pax) 
27. "Murder in Crime Investigation", Rush Hour, Setapak - Lost (4 pax) 
28. "The Pyramid", Rush Hour, Setapak - Win (4 pax)
29. "The Morgue", Rush Hour, Setapak - Win (4 pax) 
30. "The World Behind the Mirror", Rush Hour, Setapak - Win (4 pax) 
31. "World War 007", Freeing Room, Taman Connaught - Perfect (6 pax) 
32. "Biohazard Lab", Freeing Room, Taman Connaught - Perfect (6 pax) 
33. "Pirate Ship", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (5 pax) 
34. "The Slaughter House", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (5 pax) 
35. "Saw", Mission Break, Mahkota Cheras - Win (4 pax) 
36. "Identity", Mission Break, Mahkota Cheras - Win (4 pax) 
37. "The Shahara Prison", Mission Break, Mahkota Cheras - Lost (4 pax)
38. "Escape Room x Fear Factor", Escape Room, Setiawalk Mall Puchong - Win (4 pax)
39. "Heaven and Hell", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Lost (4 pax) 
40. "Project Fallout", Breakout, Avenue K - Win (6 pax) 
41. "Infinity", Breakout, Avenue K - Win (6 pax) 
42. "Chamber of Hocus", Breakout, Avenue K - Lost (5 pax) 
43. "Mr Oswald's Greatest Show", Breakout, Avenue K - Win (5 pax)
44. "The Greatest Murder of Westwood", Breakout, Avenue K - Win (5 pax)
45. "The Overlook Hotel: Room 13", Escape Room, e@Curve - Win (6 pax)
46. "Kidnapped", Break The Code, Penang - Win (4 pax - 2nd place) 
47. "Crazy Lab", Break The Code, Penang - Loss (4 pax)
48. "Pirates Ship", Break The Code, Penang - Win (4 pax - 2nd place) 
49. "Detective-X", Break The Code, Penang - Win (4 pax - 1st place) 
50. "Escape Plan: Behind the Bars", Traphauz, Sunway Mentari - Win (6 pax) 
51. "Kidnapped", Traphauz, Sunway Mentari - Win (6 pax) 
52. "Back to the Future", Traphauz, Sunway Mentari - Win (7 pax) 
53. "The Egyptian Tomb", Traphauz, Sunway Mentari - Win (7 pax)
54. "Malaysia Room", Escape Room, Berjaya Times Square - Win (8 pax - #1 for the week) 
55. "Classroom", Escape Zone, Kota Damansara - Win (5 pax - record breaking time!) 
56. "Puppet House", Escape Zone, Kota Damansara - Win (5 pax - record breaking time!)
57. "Classroom Murder", Code Factory, Jaya Shopping Centre - Win (6 pax) 
58. "Lost", Code Factory, Jaya Shopping Centre - Win (6 pax) 
59. "The Asylum", Escape Zone, Kota Damansara - Win (6 pax - #3 on the Hall of Fame) 

So, a teeny background story about the "Perfect" status. Freeing Room has this thing where instead of just escaping the room, you would have to complete a mission. This mission, should you choose to accept it, will determine on whether you just "win" or achieve the "perfect" status. If you only escape the room but don't complete the mission, then you will just "win". If you manage to escape the room and complete the mission, you will achieve the "perfect" status. When we were given the briefing, we thought it was a bit tough, but pfft! 

Playing in a consistent mode (almost two rooms per week) with my cousin and his partner, allowed us to come up with a team name. Our team is called "Team SPeeDS" which has two meanings. Firstly, the word SPeeDS spells the following: Charmaine Andrew Sam Patrick Enigmatic Escape Doro Sheryl.  Secondly, the word speeds also represents the fact that we try our best to get out as fast as we can. It's been an amazing and productive teamwork and we've been accomplishing a hell-load! All hail #TeamCASPeeDS!!!

Some people might be all judgmental and shit and wondering why the heck is this woman taking this little game so seriously?! Well, here's the thing, I don't take things lightly. I love the intensity, the competitive attitude that this "little game" brings to me. I love the satisfaction of winning and the disappointment of losing, which encourages me to understand why we lost and do better the next time around. It's almost somewhat of an addiction and I can honestly tell you, it doesn't seem to be getting lighter. There are rooms that our partners have already played and we will have to catch up, but I do believe that all is well and we will prevail! :) 

So yes, that's just a quick and simple update of me. I will be doing my best to blog a bit more, and updating you on the bits and pieces of myself. If you want to get to know me better, please do not hesitate to follow me on the following social media platforms: 

Instagram: @sherylhosulynn

Twitter: @sherylhosulynn
Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TeamCASPeeDS (PLEASE LIKE US!)  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherylho86

Thank you for reading! 

Love always, 

DancerGal Sheryl! 

Apologies for the lack of updates!

Hello readers! :)

I'm really sorry for the insane lack of updates. I have been somewhat jobless for the past 3 weeks, but I also have never been happier, and busier. Since I left my job, I have been working on myself physically (going back to Bootcamp), artistically (being extra nerdy with Monday Show) and emotionally (I have more time for myself!). This can only mean one thing, a very much happier and relaxed me!

So, in terms of my job, I have been freelancing as a writer for an online radio portal, brainstorming with a friend to take part in his company, and writing articles for someone dear to me. I think I have enough, if not more than enough, to keep me occupied in terms of work.

In terms of artistically, I have been really giving my all to my Monday Show classes. Been watching and researching musicals and singing and dancing. This week, the assignment is Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Pretty easy right? But try comparing the movie to the staged version, the past to the present, the West End and Broadway. Yes, that's what I've been doing for the past week or so. Of course, Julie Andrews is perfect to me. I've also been in researching into musicals of the Emerald City to look into the soundtracks to find songs that I like and we could possibly working for a recital. I've also been insanely into Newsies. Been looking into the actors, actresses, their past and present jobs, etc. Okay, I may sound insane, but it's really so much fun!

Mary Poppins

Sound of Music

Newsies

Wicked

In terms of physically, well, Bootcamp is Bootcamp. But here's the thing, I do Bootcamps in the evenings of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Yes, just before heading over to Monday Show classes. In the beginning, it was physically difficult, but now, I'm starting to get used to the routine and I feel healthier and definitely fitter. Can't wait to whip myself back into shape! 

So those are my updates for the past three weeks. I know I promised to update way earlier, but this is my life now. It's filled with music, song, dance and nerdy stuff. This is the beginning of my new life. It can only get better from here :) Time to start my new life, with my new family (Monday Show) and of course, my new business partners! 

Thank you to everyone for your support and I will do my best to blog more often! Do expect some posts to be of musicals. When it's my turn to do my assignment for #Musical101, I will be blogging so that my Monday Show colleagues can read it as well. 

I love you guys so much! 

My beloved Monday Show Family! This is only part of them... 

The loved ones... :) 

Here's to a new beginning :) 

Love always,
DancerGal Sheryl!

My first performing arts review as published on StageKL.com :)

First and foremost, thank you to StageKL.com for giving me this opportunity to review a performing arts piece. It is something that I have never done before, nor did I ever think I would get the chance of doing. So happy to see my name there :) Thank you once again and here was my piece :) 

“In a Space of Time” is a contemporary dance piece choreographed by former Cloud Gate Dance Theatre dancer Wong Jyh Shyong featuring 6 dancers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia (2 dancers from each country).

This piece features music from famed musician Ng Chor Guan who is also the winner of several BOH Cameronian Arts Awards.

With a simple set of just, what looks like a giant sun clock in the middle of the stage, all 6 dancers danced around the clock hand in the first part of the show to depict the different relationships of different people with time.

What Wong Jyh Shyong aims to emulate is the 6 different dancers with 6 different understanding or interpretations of time. While some look at time as moving too fast, others deem it as too slow, whilst some of us view time as both slow and fast depending on the circumstances.

Allowing us to focus on the dancers’ bodylines, Jyh Shyong provided the audience with an intricate explanation of how time plays such an important part in our lives and yet, we tend to take it for granted. When time is lost, all that’s left are memories. These memories may be bitter or sweet. Screaming at the lost time does not bring back the time and all that’s left are memories. Sweet. Bitter. Painful. Joyful.

An interpretation of such magnifying proportions would be able to send a strong message to the audience. The costume is simple. Wearing almost everyday clothes, the dancers prance and hop and roll around in what seems to be like clothes that we wear on a daily basis.

What was interesting was a barrage of pebbles coming down as pendulums where the dancers laid themselves over the floor. Giving the illusion of a ticking clock, as the pendulum swings, the dancers narrate verbally what time means to them and how it can reflect and change our society. The lighting of the show was fairly simple as well, spotting each dancer where they need to be spotted.

All in all, it was a relatively simple production with a powerful message. Each dancer brought their own qualities to the table showcasing the talents from all three countries.

Dancers

• Chiu TungTung (Hong Kong), former dancer of Hong Kong Dance Company
• Cliff Huen Tin Yeung (Hong Kong), former dancer of City Contemporary Dance Company
• Huang Yu Teng (Taiwan), former dancer of Taipei Chamber ballet, Kao Hsiung City Ballet, Focus Dance Company
• Tsou Ying-Lin (Taiwan), studied in Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) Graduate Institute of Dance Performance and Choreography M.F.A Program.
• Kyson Teo Khai Shen (Malaysia), guest dancer of WC Dance Theatre
• Rachel Chew Zi Xin (Malaysia), former dancer of Ballet Jörgen Canada

Pictures courtesy of Gary Ng and Damansara Performing Arts Centre.

In the Life of DancerGal: Reliving my childhood with Walt Disney!

I went to the Putrajaya International Fireworks Competition over one of the weekends with some MSS friends (Adry, Min, Dennis and Kevin) to check out some fireworks and play with my new toy! :P Little did I know, I was going to be thoroughly surprised and amazingly happy by the end of the night (before your mind starts to wonder, no, I was not proposed to and I am not engaged!)

From what I knew, the contender for that evening was from the U.S of A. We tried looking for a spot upon arriving at the Pusat Maritime, Putrajaya. There were so many people and it was so crowded. We took at least about 20 mins just looking for a good spot, which we did find in the end. Anyway, after setting up, Dennis helped me set my camera to certain settings and taught me how to use it. Once that was done, we sort of stood there waiting for about 15 to 20 mins more. Then an awesome announcement was made. They did a short profile about the contender from USA and guess what? The contender was from WALT DISNEY!

Walt Disney's signature

I was jumping with joy and super ecstatic when I heard their name! Imagine the look on a 5-year old child that just got a huge cotton candy. I knew that this competition included choreography between music and fireworks. That means, 25 minutes of Disney music, 25 mins of fireworks... wow. I was so superbly excited. Honestly speaking, I didn't take that many (good) shots, but I was proud of a few. Please note that these photos are NOT edited hence the horrible smoke around the fireworks and incomplete shots. I'm sorry I have yet to figure out how to play with Photoshop and I would rather post this sooner rather than later. So please go easy on me okay?

Here are some photos from my awesome camera-savvy friends. I honestly speaking am in awe by the beauty of their photos and I can't wait to learn more from them! :) 

Credit: Dennis Lee

Credit: Dennis Lee

Credit: Alvin Wong

It was pretty epic. We were entertained by songs from my childhood favourite cartoons like Cinderella, Tarzan, Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, etc. It was just so much fun that I couldn't stop smiling after the whole thing was over. Like I said, I was like the 5-year old child who just got her favourite cotton candy. I was quite frustrated in the beginning of it all, but by the end of it, I was just like OMG OMG OMG! (If you know me well enough, you'd probably be able to picture me saying this!) 

OH YEAH! I'm a happy girl! <3 div="" nbsp="">

Love always, 

DancerGal Sheryl!