CATCH local resident and celebrity beat boxer Shawn Lee at this weekend’s Charity Durian Fest (July 5) at Subang Parade.
Shawn, who is ranked amongst the top 10 beat boxers in the world at the recently concluded Beatbox Battle World Championship in Germany, will treat everyone at the durian fest with sounds and vocal styling that is unimaginable.
The son artist and cartoonist Reggie Lee, Shawn will be  raising the beat and heat at the weekend charity event.
His performances both locally and in Germany have garnered him the status as one to watch in the future.
Beatboxing for nearly 3 years now, Shawn has acquired strong and growing following where he has performed. His performances in talent competitions, church activities, and with celebrities such as Hannah Tan and Harith Iskandar have added to his steadily rising status as an acclaimed entertainer.
As a resident of USJ 5, Shawn’s performance at the Durian Fest will indeed be a fitting one, as both Shawn and the CWS have roots in Subang Jaya, and will make for a perfect avenue to draw in crowds as well as to provide exposure for the young entertainer.
“Aside from the exposure and experience that I’ll be getting, I’m also doing this for free because I really do want to help these unfortunate children. And I also think this is the perfect time to do it” said Shawn in a recent interview.
Shawn stumbled upon beatboxing almost accidentally, by just experimenting with sound effects and mouthing off drum beats to follow songs on the radio. Soon, he discovered beatboxing on the internet and was inspired by beatbox legend Razhel, who could beatbox and sing at the same time.
It was in a church that Shawn got his first shot at performing his beatbox techniques, and was inspired by the reception he received. This inspired him to pursue beatboxing as a professional hobby.
Shawn’s stint in Germany was his first ever exposure to a competitive beatbox battle tournament, where gaining a position as the ninth best beatboxer in the world has spurred on to consider beatboxing as a serious undertaking.
“I plan to enter more competitions and turn this into a serious hobby, one that I can achieve lots with,” he said.
Shawn keeps an online journal of his life and beatboxing pursuits which can be accessed at http://www.shawnlee.me/
With his upcoming performance at the Durian Fest, spectators can expect a breathtaking show of vocally impossible sounds and amazing effects by an upcoming star.

KEEPING up with her school studies for Nyeow Siow Toong, 9 has now been made easier thanks to the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia.

Hailing from Kahang in Johor, about 400km from Kuala Lumpur, Siow Toong suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disorder that affects muscle functions.

She is presently seeking outpatient treatment at the University Malaya Medical Centre here.

Her wish when CWS first approached was for a laptop just so that she could keep up with her studies at school.

Just before school reopened in June, CWS traveled over to her home to fulfill her wish. The laptop is equipped with a translator to allow her the ability to convert English words to Chinese.

Siow Toong who received the gift with her mother Lim Siew Keng and two brothers Cheng Wei and Cheng Yie, told CWS Board member Dato Dr Kuan Geok Lan that she had hoped for a laptop after seeing her neighbour and classmate owning one.

The laptop is also loaded with games in Chinese for her relaxation time.

Software support was provided by Multimedia Computer Systems (games) and the translator programme was provided by K-Zone Technology located in Subang Parade.

LATEST UPDATE:

Kai Yan passed away peacefully on June 29 (Monday)

Nine Year Old’s Wish Fulfilled
NINE year old Lau Kai Yan received his present two months ahead of his actual birthday this year.
The brand new Portable PlayStation which Kai Yan received may seem to be what a child his age would get these days for their birthdays.
But this little device is special for him. Kai Yan suffers from Leukaemia Type ALL.
First diagnosed two years ago and having experienced a relapse in April this year, Kai Yan who lives in Melaka with his family received his gift courtesy of the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia.
On June 13, CWS Board member, Dato Dr Kuan Geok Lan and Recipient Liaison Coordinator Allan Hubbert dropped over at his family home to present him with the gift which was preloaded with a number of games.
His smile and expressions were worth its weight in gold when received the present with his mother Ang See Yunn by his side.
Dr Kuan was later presented with a picture Kai Yan had drawn to express his gratitude to the Society for fulfilling his wish.
The wish was fulfilled with the generous donations from the public and the assistance of IT company Multimedia Computer Systems located in Subang Parade who helped put together the PSP and games for Kai Yan.