KOTA KINABALU: Reminisce and learn more about Gaya Street, known as Bond Street in the past, with ‘Bonding with Gaya Street’ programme will be held at Lintasan Deasoka and Gaya Street on February 11 and 12.
Bonding with Gaya Street is a community heritage exhibition co-organized by City Hall and North Borneo History Enthusiasts (NBHE) in conjunction with Kota Kinabalu City Day celebration.
NBHE is a group on Facebook that was created by Beaufort entrepreneur Justin Sunam Wong on May 7 last year, whereby its members comprise history enthusiasts dedicated to discovering, preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Sabah.
Organizing chairperson of the programme, Datin Fazar Datuk Arif, said it is Gaya Street’s 61st anniversary this year. Many might not know that the first 17 shophouses built along an area called Bond Street are what we know as Gaya Street now.
On the communal level, the organizers will be collaborating with Gaya Street shop owners to host mini exhibits which include stories, photographs and artifacts contributed by the public for Gaya Street’s community heritage and history.
The exhibition will encompass the Gaya Street area, including an ‘A Go Go’ inspired concert called ‘Together Again’ to celebrate our veteran musicians and musical heritage.
“NBHE’s creative team intends to set Gaya Street abuzz from February 2 with the community heritage exhibition.
“The launch of the event and soft launching of a coffee table book will be on February 11, with the ‘Together Again’ music concert charting the popular musical journey of Sabah circa the 50s, and 60s in the evening,” said Fazar.
NBHE encourages members of the public to participate in the event by contributing their personal stories and photographs of Gaya Street. Stories and photographs can be emailed to [email protected], with full name and contact details included for accreditation purposes.
A collection dropbox with an on-location photocopier machine will be set up specifically for public contribution purposes at Kedai Kopi Sen Chong Wah on Gaya Street. The dropbox will be open from 11.30am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday.
NBHE needs old photographs depicting a variety of subjects from weddings and babies, to fashionable youngsters, at the cinema, music band photos, depictions of banking, shipping and commerce, architectural details of old shops and life around Gaya Street in general.
For more information, visit NBHE.blogspot.com or email to [email protected].
Apart from ‘Bonding with Gaya Street’, the Ctiy Day celebration includes the launching of City Carnival by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai on Feb 3, at 7pm at City Square. The carnival will begin every Friday and Saturday from January 20 onwards with the aim to liven up KK Waterfront and to promote the City Square as a popular nightspot. Stalls selling local products will start operating from 5.30pm to 2am while entertainment performances will start from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir said a total of 12 events have been organized to celebrate the 12th City Day anniversary.
Abidin added that all the events will be litter free.
There will also be free movie shows ‘Sammy’s Adventures’ on Feb 12 and ‘Spy Kids 4’ on Feb 19, 10.30am at GSC Suria. To obtain free tickets, please contact Elizabeth Borubui at 088-521800.
Meanwhile, the 11th KK Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012 will be held on June 10. The event is jointly organized by City Hall and Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Sabah, and around 150 teams nationwide are expected to take part in the activity.
Other activities include Mount Kinabalu Climbing Expedition by City Hall Enforcement Department in January, Bacaan Surah Yasin, Tahlil and Doa Kesyukuran ceremony on Jan 31, a parade and flag-raising ceremony on Feb 2, 7.30am, at Padang Merdeka, KK City Day Karate Open 2012 from Feb 24 to 26 at Kota Kinabalu Community Hall, Seventh International Sabah Open Dart Tournament 2012 from March 2 to 4 at City Hall, City Run 2012 on April 1 at Padang Merdeka at 7am, and Open Bowling Championship from May 25-27 at CPS Bowl, Centre Point Sabah.
Also present at the press conference were deputy director-general (corporate) of City Hall, Bahari Haji Hassan, director of Corporate Affairs Department of City Hall, Faradillah Hj Abdul Rani, and Kapitan Chin Tek Ming.