Zapin Acah: Workshop by Destar Limar UPSI

As part of the festival's knowledge-sharing platform, invited foreign groups will each conduct a two-hour workshop at the Esplanade Annexe Studio.

These sessions feature live demonstrations, artistic reflection and cross-regional exchange, with a particular focus on the special dance pieces presented on the Muara Festival main stage. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the choreographic processes, cultural contexts and movement vocabularies that shape each group's artistic practice.

In Zapin Acah , teasing exchanges and responsive movement bring dancers into a lively conversation. Based on Zapin Parit Mastar , this creative dance work explores the interaction between partners as they approach, retreat and shift direction in response to one another.

This workshop explores how traditional zapin motifs can inspire fresh choreographic expression. Participants examine how changes in direction, distance and space create dynamic interactions between partners while retaining the distinctive character of Zapin Parit Mastar .

Participants will:

Explore movement motifs drawn from Zapin Parit Mastar .

Discover how playful teasing can be expressed through action and reaction.

Develop partner awareness through responsive movement and spatial interaction.

Explore how traditional movements can be creatively developed into new choreographic ideas.

Muara Festival is presented by Era Dance Theatre in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as part of Esplanade’s Pentas series.