Amidst all the hype about 1Borneo and the spanking new cinemas of Golden Screen Cinemas, you may be forgiven for not realising that Growball Cinemas had an upgrade and they too have a new cinema.

Fun & Games

Fun Square, which is accessible from Centrepoint Shopping Centre’s Palm Square, is a recent addition to the plethora of entertainment options associated with the Groball name.  Spread over two levels, it includes an area with computers for Internet access and LAN games, a huge new arcade with a variety of games and a buffet restaurant and lounge.

The pride and joy of Fun Square however, is Growball’s new additional cinema number 8, which easily takes the crown as Kota Kinabalu’s top theater hall.  But let’s start on the outside.

As you walk up the stairs from Palm Square, you are greeted by the vibrant and colourful front of Fun Square.  A giant big-screen above the entrance shows trailers of current and upcoming movies to whet your appetite.  A new Box Office is off to the left (although this doesn’t seem to be in use yet) and a gleaming new confectionery counter is immediately adjacent.

A set of escalators will take you up to the next level and entrance to cinema 8.  You are greeted by another, smaller confectionery booth, which we guess are so that punters coming from the 8th floor needn’t walk all the way down.

Inside Growball’s Ciname 8

Growball’s cinema 8 itself is a contender for biggest cinema in Kota Kinabalu with over 300 seats (tbc).  The entrance is at the top and back of the stadium-seating and offers an oh-wow moment as you take in the view of the deep, wide theatre hall that swoops down to the stage below.

The stage area is big enough for a small performance and it’s clear that the theatre was designed with more than just movies in mind.  Indeed, Growball cinema 8 is available to rent for presentations, product launches and lectures.

A comfortable seat especially for long movies

The seats in the cinema are chunky and solid and the high seat-backs proves to be very comfortable.

All the arm-rests can lift up, ensuring that, like in GSC, every seat is a potential love seat.  With slightly different padding compared to the GSC line, the Growball seats feel a smidgen more comfortable as it gives more support.  This is good for those 130 minute blockbusters.

The beauty of cinema 8 is that every single seat in the house has a great experience of the screen.  The screen is big enough to be impressive from the very back row, yet not so big that viewers in the front row will have to crank their necks to catch the entire scene.  The same goes for seats on the extreme edges, even from there the picture looks great.

The theatre is equipped with all the state of the art surround sound you’d expect from a new installation, which nicely rounds off the experience.

The only bad thing to be said about Growball’s cinema 8 is that like every other cinema in KK, the aircon can get a bit cold.  So if you’re prone to shiver easily, do bring along a jumper.

Oh and remember, the big, new movies usually show in cinema 8, so catch them while they’re new.

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.

On 19 August comedy entertainment comes to Kota Kinabalu in the form of the Comedy Court Dinner Show hosted by Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

Comedy Court is a Malaysian institution that has been delighting audiences since 1996.  Allan Perera and Indi Nadarajah, Comedy Courtiers of note, are famous for having audiences in stitches with alter egos and comedic match-ups the likes of Loga & Singam, Mat & Din, the two Dato’s, KC & TC and more.

For a belly-full of laughs and an evening of light hearted entertainment, don’t miss the Comedy Court Dinner show hosted by Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu on 19 August at 6.30pm, priced at RM 150 per person.

For reservations phone +60 88  327 871 or email tah@shangri-la.com.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu provides 5-star hotel accommodation in the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

With 306 rooms located right in the centre of KK’s shopping and nightlife district, about 10km from the airport, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu makes a convenient base from where to explore KK and Sabah.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu hosts 4 food and beverage outlets:

• Circle Restaurant offers international food in a casual dining atmosphere;
• The Lounge provides a quiet drink in a relaxing setting;
• The Pool Bar offers refreshment next to the pool; and
• Rumba Latin Grill & Bar specialises in Latin cuisine and is known for vibrant KK night life;

Additional features of this Kota Kinabalu hotel include a gym with weight and cardio equipment, an outdoor pool with panoramic views of the sea, a Jacuzzi, steam room and a sauna.

Amongst the many other noteworthy facilities and services to be found, the following are included:

• 24-hour Room Service;
• Currency Exchange;
• Babysitting Service;
• Luggage storage;
• Valet Parking;

Complementary wireless Internet access is available in the public areas of Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu.

Check-in time is 2pm and check-out time is 12pm.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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.