TRADITIONAL MUSIC: Kelantan arts and cultural group, Beringin Emas, performing traditional Malay music before showcasing ‘wayang kulit’ at the start of the evening showcase on the last day of the inaugural Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) at Pullman Hotel Kuching. The event, from June 24 to 26, attracted some 180 delegates and over 70 music festival programmers from throughout the world with coverage from international media groups. Beringin Emas does performance of pure traditional plays, experimenting with new fusion of repertoires of prominent traditional rhythm. — Photo by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith
KUCHING: Those planning to attend the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) next year are advised to purchase their tickets early to enjoy the discount rate as there are no plans yet to reduce the price of the tickets.
In giving this advice, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said there is a need for the annual world music festival to continue to grow and improve in its quality to keep up with the international standard.
“The ticket price is already considered cheap and affordable by the world’s standard. We have no plans to lower ticket price at the moment,” he told reporters when met after the Borneo World Music Expo (BWME) press conference at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
As such, the only way to enjoy a discount is to buy early and go for the ‘early-birds discount rate, he said.
Of late, many RWMF visitors who are mainly locals complain about the constant rise in ticket prices every year.
Ticket prices for RWMF this weekend (June 28-30) was set at RM110 for a one-day pass and RM300 for a three-day pass. Last year, ticket prices were RM120 for a one-day pass and RM330 for a three-day pass.
The price of tickets has doubled compared to some five to seven years ago.
The 16th edition of the RWMF will take place at the Sarawak Cultural Village at Damai near here.