Joanna

  • KKIFF: Watching ‘The Sight of Borneo Kirin’

    I was so excited to see the film ‘The Sight of Borneo Kirin’, by Pentium Tee! It was Day 2 of the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) and Yap had a ticket for me. He warned me, “I’m in… Continue reading

    KKIFF: Watching ‘The Sight of Borneo Kirin’
  • Playing for Datuk CL Chan’s book launch – audio

    I was so pleased to be able to play background piano for the book launch for Datuk CL Chan’s book ‘Family Ties’, which is a history of five generations of his family, from their journey from China to Sandakan to… Continue reading

    Playing for Datuk CL Chan’s book launch – audio
  • Making Sabah Guitars

    Yap Keng Vui, Roger Wang, Gordon Pan, Allen Lin, and Timothy Tang are here in Yap’s workshop. They recently acquired the contents of a Canadian luthier’s workshop in Kuala Lumpur, because he was returning to Canada. So today they are… Continue reading

    Making Sabah Guitars
  • English tea, Sabah style

    My cousin made English tea in a teapot! (I never do this but my friend Mariana would approve). Served with char siu buns — pork, mushroom, hard boiled egg and Chinese sausage (lap cheong). Continue reading

    English tea, Sabah style
  • Sabah 2022: Woodwork, calligraphy and the moon

    I’m spoiled from the moment I land in Sabah. Relatives greet me at the airport — poor things! The flight from Kuala Lumpur arrives at such a dreadful time, it gets into Kota Kinabalu at 12.40am and I actually walked… Continue reading

    Sabah 2022: Woodwork, calligraphy and the moon
  • Jude Day, Festival Director — Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival

    The Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) runs September 17 – 25 in 2022. Founder and festival director Jude Day got on Zoom with me, to talk about what’s coming up. I was going to write a long post, but… Continue reading

    Jude Day, Festival Director — Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival
  • Song in a lighthouse guestbook

    “I’ve got a strange request,” my friend Karen said on Messenger. “We’re staying in a cottage, it has a guest book, and someone’s written a song in it. Could you play it and send me a recording? It’s for the… Continue reading

    Song in a lighthouse guestbook
  • Roaring Lion ‘Legend’ album rehearsal

    Roaring Lion will be performing most of the songs from the Bob Marley ‘Legend’ album for a gig September 17 2022, at an event launching a new EP by Bradamon. With a 40-minute slot, it means shaping those songs and… Continue reading

    Roaring Lion ‘Legend’ album rehearsal