Say Sawadeeka to Chingay 2009!
Hello there, today was the second most important step in being a STOMP Chingay blogger: the ‘media accreditation session’ (the first being the Chingay Parade itself). What is media accreditation? Well, it is just collecting our all-powerful slip of paper, a pass used to gain access to the Chingay Parade (We will be seated on front row seats, close enough to smell the action (and sweat)).
Queuing up to be an official Media Journalist
It is more commonly known as the Media badge, with the words ‘Media Journalist’ proclaimed loudly and proudly on it. We were briefed on all the nitty-gritty on entry points, admission timings and very, very solemnly, on the designated areas for photography – let the fight for the best photo spot begin.
So armed with that on C-day ( C for Chingay), I will be reporting and blogging about all things fabulous and whimsical about Chingay 2009: Wonderland – with 13 glittering floats, 4000 performers from 47 diverse groups all dancing to the vivacious, joyous beats.
(Tip: If you missed out on a Chingay Ticket, head down to the Padang – the side facing the Esplanade Park (read: The Merlion area) to soak in the Chingay atmosphere (for free, psst.). There will be 2 performing areas along that stretch of road. Come early and ‘chope’ your spots. Tissue packets not provided).
29th January - 5:50pm – The People’s Association
Check out this tribal pole from Taiwan
After getting the cold hard admin facts on Chingay, the sacred Media pass and a sweet Sawadeeka from the statuesque Miss Tourism Ambassador of Thailand (part of the Thai contingent ), we were, once again , treated to the would-be visual spectacle for the international performing groups at their rehearsal.
While the mainstream media were hard at work (writing and reporting), the bloggers put our newly-bestowed ‘power’ to good use. Gary, Juliet, Karl and I roamed freely around the holding areas, capturing all the ‘backstage’ action– hopping from group to group, with this line ‘Can I take a picture with you?’. Of course, they were all yes-es and smiles
That was when I got reeeaaaalllllyyy high and soaked in the Chingay mood. Amidst all the cheerful banter and laughter from the performers – they had to redo their routines, yet they seemed to be really enjoying it! So that officially started our cam-whoring session…click…click…click.
Hailing from distant lands is a buffet of international performing groups who have clocked air miles to perform exclusively for Chingay 2009. Some are making their star-studded debut on our sunny island (Do you know that overseas groups have to compete for performing slots in Chingay? So stressful!)
Chingay is like a tasty local treat, but made even tastier with foreign-exported ‘ingredients’ to round it off. Injecting a melding mish-mash of exotic heritage, these groups make Chingay a ‘United Nations of Floats’ – a melting pot of cultures, indeed. So join me in bracing our friendly citizens of the World!
The Heavenly Miss Thailand 2009
Contingent: Thailand – Loi Krathong Festival
Famous for: Being the Land of Smiles and kick-boxing
In Chingay: Expect more megawatt smiles and warm clasps of hands as the genial Thai dancers spread the joy with their festive dance moves and the highlight was the heavenly goddess-like Tourism Ambassador of Thailand 2009, aptly snuggled up in a pink lotus flower. Talk about heavenly. I scrambled to share a Kodak moment with her, Sawadeeka!
Better don’t mess with him…
Contingent : Indonesia – Gema Nusantara
Famous for: Earthquakes and being the childhood home of Barak Obama
In Chingay: Lots of action and fierce demonic masks – perhaps to ward off the evil spirits in this hair-standing award-winning Javanese-meets-Sumatran dance. Look out for the Reog Mask ( the tiger head and peacock ornament), it reminds me of Narnia – Indonesian style.
Almost looks like cheer-leading
Contingent : India – Gema Nusantara
Famous for: Bollywood and the Taj Mahal and maybe, Aishwarya Raj
In Chingay: Prepare to go to Tribal Council – Survivor style as the Mewasai ( a tribe in Gujarat, India) takes centre-stage. They scream wildly, they pounce in circles – cheer-leading style.
There are still performances from Korea, The Philippines and Taiwan, so keep your eyes peeled for them!
730pm: City Alive! Media Showcase at TOPSHOP/TOPMAN @ Vivocity
Your very own Tiger Beer bar in TOPMAN
After the snappy rehearsal, we were chauffeured on an exclusive mini-bus to attend the Media Party to promote City Alive! Singapore’s Biggest and Funkiest Street Dance Party (according to the press release). The venue for this media event is rather eyebrow-raising – The TOMPMAN/TOPSHOP outlet at Vivocity. A media conference held in a shop – that’s a first for me.
We were all invited to be tipple-happy at the uber-hip event, featuring an electrifying LIVE! Showcase of DJ Sassy Pandez’s acclaimed spinning skills – P.S She happened to be voted ‘World’s Sexiest DJ’ by Maxim Magazine and boy she was quite a towering presence like a Greek goddess , with a larger-than-life heels! She hovers like one or two heads above me and I am of above average male Singaporean height.
DJ ‘ Sexy’ Pandez
She caused quite a stir as she dished out eclectic, power-grinding Hip Hop/R&B grooves from the window display – yes, you did not read it wrongly, which, of course, attracted legions of curious passer-bys and their cameras.
That rah-rah segment was such a teaser for what to expect for City Alive! after the Chingay Parade on 31st January ( free entry for those with Chingay tickets on that day) . It starts from 940pm (the night is still young) and City Hall front is all yours to gyrate and shake those bootylicious hips up till 3am.
Think Zouk Out without the sand and bikinis. Boys can ogle at DJ Sarasa and Pandez, while gals, keep your eyes on funky, sexy dancers Yiu & Bo and S’porean DJ KoFlow. Ongoing will also be the street dance competition, FunkaMania and Voodoo street percussion with stilt walkers!
Be there or be square (I will be there!!) so excuse me, while I practice those dance moves.
Yiu and Bo – Dancing Mannequins
Back to the event hosted by the ‘ridiculously funny’ Oli Pettigrew. While DJ Pandez ruled the sound waves, the hip-hop dancing duo, Yiu and Bo wowed everyone with their slick and heart-thumping dance moves, from their limited space in the glass counters – imagine two life-sized dancing mannequins!= That must have melted some hearts, especially some girls who were squealing, in front….awwwwwww…. It is amazing how the boys can squeeze in flips and catchy dance moves in that constricted space!
Media Conference amongst clothes
Tiger beer was available free-flow. Cups and cups of the golden thirst-quencher were laid out at the make-shift counter, beside the clothes rack. I helped myself to a Tiger time, while tongue-tingling nibbles came in the form of tai tai-ish finger food from Cova pastries and popcorn.
While Madonna, Beyonce and Rihanna were mashed up in the background, we just took more photos and in true Singaporean shopping spirit, some of us went shopping in TOPMAN (they even gave threw in an additional 15% discount to tempt us….how horrible, alcohol and discounts) I just went around and stuffed myself with those delightful macaroons, while mesmerised by DJ Pandez and her tracks. I cannot wait for City Alive to well, come alive.
So I shall see all of your on the Big Night, Chingay Night on Saturday, 31st January. Catch you there!!!! Bring the cameras and dancing shoes!!!
The Dummy’s Guide to Chingay 2009
My Media Passes – all ready to be flashed
Craving for a slice of Chingay, here are a few ways how to:
1) Buy your CHINGAY tickets (some last-minute ones are still up for grabs) and catch it LIVE! From the seats at City Hall front or Raffles Avenue. Go Sistic com.sg or any Sistic outlets
2) Go to Esplanade Park (read: The Merlion area) to see the parade. For Free.
3) Watch it in the comfort of your home via the delayed telecast on Sunday, 1st Feb, 8pm – 10 pm on Channel 8.
4) Shake those hips away at 2 post-parade parties: City Alive! and line/folk dancing. Both at City Hall front.
City Alive! – 31st Jan - $28 (includes one drink). Get tix from Sistic.
Line/Folk dancing – Free entry
5) Vote for your fave Chingay float on www.chingay.org.sg and an ipod nano could be yours
6) Head down to Ang Mo Kio on Sunday, 1st Feb as Chingay makes a heartland appearance or go to Chinatown on 7th Feb.
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