The Chinese New Year holidays are past, but the memories remain.  One of the more memorable Lion Dances Sabahbah.com encountered this festive season was at Kota Kinabalu’s Waterfront, where we saw a spectacular Chinese New Year Lion Dance at The Loft.

Sabahbah.com was there, but unfortunetally only equipped with a Canon Ixus digital camera.  However, we still managed to capture the clip below, which highlights a short portion of this entertaining Lion Dance.

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KK’s newest band Switch Grove started playing at night spot Rumba this Friday.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu recruited this talented 7-piece band from the Philippines to delight the crowd that regularly gathers at KK’s first and only Latin grill & bar.

Equipped with an extensive repertoire of popular music such as rock, latin, R&B, reggae, top 40 and pop, the energetic Switch Groove promise to give you the urge to dance.

The band members comprise 6 guys and a girl, so let’s meet the band.

Cooky is the band’s only lady and leads on vocals. A long time visitor to KK, Cooky previously fronted the band Swerve who played at Tang Dynasty in 2003 and BED in 2006.

The male lead vocalist JC, inspires with heartfelt singing and is new to KK.

Joe, second on vocals, returns to Kota Kinabalu after a previous stint at Shenanigans with the band Poetry. Joe also appeared with the band Swerve when they performed in BED, back in 2004.

Dean strums the rhythm guitar and plays the keyboard.  He formerly played the keys for DB8, a band popular with the KK pub crowd.

Art plays the bass guitar and also previously starred in DB8.  He returns to KK after successful stints with that band at Shenanigans.

Vin is the lead guitarists and Rod is on drums.  Both joined Switch Groove after successful stints with other bands.

Switch Groove gets the party started at Rumba, which is open every day except Sundays, from 5pm – 1am, or until 2am on weekends and the eve of public holidays.

Rumba is in the city centre, located at ground level, street level at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu, and as KK first and only Latin grill and bar and offers vibrant flavoursome Latin food, a great selection of wines and a marvelously minty Mojito.  Cuban cigars and great music are par for the course.

At Shenanigan’s this month there are 7 reasons every week to party, which is no coincidence, because that means one reason every day.  So, let’s have a look at what’s up at Shenanigan’s this August.

Monday

Monday night is hot, especially for hotel staff, travel agents and peopl’/e from the Hospitality, Travel & Tourism (HO.T.T.) industry.  Enter the Beck’s August Lucky Draw by buying a jug of Beck’s draft and, who knows, you might get lucky at Shenanigan’s.  Show your industry card for 20% off bottles of spirits and watch out for jugs of special HO.T.T. cocktails available all night long.

Tuesday

You’ll be Rock n’ Rollin on Tuesday as Shenanigan’s plays 50′s and 60′s tunes from early to late.  Start with Shenanigan’s rock-around-the-clock Happy Hours and get a glass of house poring brand spirits for RM 5 at 5pm, RM 6 at 6pm, RM 7 at 7pm and RM8 at 8pm.  Then rock on with classic 50′s cocktails; Vodka Martinis, Sidecards and Mai Tais.

Wednesday

Especially for the ladies, Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night every week this month.  Shenanigan’s presents traditional pub games, followed by Devils and Sailors, a skill testing game especially for Ladies’ Night.  Fantastic prizes are up for grabs.

Thursday

On Thursday Shenanigan’s go Retro Classic as resident band Live 8 takes you back to the 70′s and 80′s with old school classics.  Celebrate Happy Hour with draft beer at RM30 per jug, which includes 2 Beck’s Lucky Draw coupons. Or get nostalgic with a Retro Fruit Punch.

Friday

Thank Shenanigan’s It’s Friday.  Wash away the week and get a jump on the weekend with a few jugs of Beck’s draught beer and hang on to your lucky draw coupons to stand a chance to win great prizes.  The grand final draw is taking place on August 29.  Then Live 8 brings the hits, so dance the night away.  The SuperSaver Deal of 2x jugs of Beck’s draught at RM99 apply on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so take advantage.

Saturday

Shenanigan’s becomes the haven for Sassy Angels, every Saturday night as Live8 ups the ambiance with their energetic and exciting performance.  In addition to Shenanigan’s SuperSaver Deal, there’s also bottle package discount and other great offers to be had.

Sunday

The resident DJ and Live8 takes turns every alternate Sunday to spin tunes and perform live at Shenanigan’s.  Infectious tunes and laid back rhytms will get you humming through Sunday.  Chug a few jugs of draught beer or chill with a Carribean rum punch to the tune of Bob Marley hits.

So there you have it, 7 reasons every week to make Shenanigan’s your choice for a night out in Kota Kinabalu.  Find Shenanigan’s at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu in the heart of KK’s night life and pub hub.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and nowhere more so than at Blue Note at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa as Generation Y enters it’s 6th successful month.

Club nights at Blue Note are as hot as ever in August with the usual throng of international DJs heading to Kota Kinabalu to rock KK’s nightlife. Featuring some (pretty) new faces and old favourites, August’s Generation Y is set to please.

1 & 2 August
The ever popular DJ Nikki starts off the month’s clubbing action on the first weekend of August. One of Malaysia’s most prominent DJ celebs, DJ Nikki’s passion for dance music can be heard and felt in her thumping beats.

8 & 9 August
August’s 2nd weekend belongs to DJ Fono as he brings his highly sought after progressive trans music from KL to KK. Locally acclaimed, DJ Fono has supported big name acts like Sasha, Dave Angel and Pete Tong and have played alongside greats such as Paul Oakenfold and Daniella Davoli.

15 & 16 August
As we reach the 3rd week of August, it’s all DJ Terence C. Having played alongside a slew of well-known DJs and known himself as the stable of Zouk Kuala Lumpur, DJ Terence C isolates the funkier elements of progressive and house for the benefit of KK clubbers.

22 & 23 August
DJ Gabriel, better known as one of the resident DJs on 88.9 Capital FM, is as dedicated to dance music as the show, Turn It Up, that he co-hosts. Eager to please the crowd, you can expect funky R&B, hip-hop and soul music.

29 & 30 August
On the last weekend of August the ever popular DJ Shazz returns to Blue Note. Popular for his devotion to true house music, DJ Shazz is not to be missed as he rounds up Blue Note’s August chapter of Generation Y at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

In case you thought that Generation Y was renovated along with Blue Note’s interior, here’s a little reminder: Blue Note’s Generation Y is still kicking in July!

18 & 19 July

DJ Shazz is back in KK’s Blue Note on the weekend of 18 & 19 July with his stirring rhythmic intensity that elicit a soulful spiritual and inspirational vibe.

DJ Shazz, who grew up in New York, appeared at Lovezoo at The Lost Weekend, Progress in Derby, The Que Club in Birmingham and The Sub Club in Glasgow and promises Kota Kinabalu’s club scene a party to remember.

25 & 26 July

On the weekend of 25 & 26 July DJ Fine China, also known as Jonathan Ngu, is doing his thing at Blue Note at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

Hailing from Perth, Australia, Dj Fine China has the ability to cut, fade and scratch with effects. Part of some of Perth’s big gigs and with appearance at famous clubs, DJ Fine China promises not to disappoint Blue Note’s punters.

Blue Note is located at Kota Kinabalu’s Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa and is open daily. Watch out for Ladies’ Night on Thursdays and Generation Y brining international class DJs to KK’s club scene on Fridays and Saturdays.